CMU Police oversight committee to begin hearing concerns of campus community
The CMU police department has established a citizen oversight committee which will hear and deliberate the concerns of the university community.
CMU Police Chief Stan Dinius said the Michigan Commission On Law Enforcement Standards made a ruling in May of 2002 that all police departments had to have their own authority.
At the time, CMU reported to the Isabella County Sheriff’s Department and needed to enact a state law to certify their officers.
Part of the law required the department to establish a citizen oversight committee that will make requests on the communities voiced complaints.
“I think it’s fine,” Dinius said. “It’s part of the law and we want to comply with it. The better communication we have with issues the better we serve the community and I think this will facilitate better communication.”
The six-member committee will hear the complaints and concerns of university members as well as the community at large, said Mary Roy, assistant general counsel, who oversaw the legal aspects group’s organization.
Grant Skomski, assistant director of Residence Life, and Jon Kujat, coordinate of environmental and safety services risk management and insurance, are staff representatives.
Big Rapids senior Matt Davids, and Grand Ledge senior Bryan Beach are student representatives.
Susan Knight, professor of foreign language literature and culture, will represent the faculty. Roy said the remaining faculty member will be decided before the first meeting.
Roy said a meeting date has not been set but expects the members to convene within the next few weeks.
“The meeting will convene after everyone has an open point in their schedule,” she said.
The committee will help individuals who may feel intimidated or unwilling to go to the police department voice their concerns.
“We will deliberate on the complaint and if necessary we will make a recommendation to the department on how to deal with the complaint,” Roy said.
Dinius said the board does not have the power to force anything but has the power to make recommendations.
“I think it will promote openness with the university and community at large making the CMU police department a little more accessible,” Roy said. “We have high hopes for the (committee).”
