Discourse regarding the management of downtown East Lansing continues to be a pressing issue for the East Lansing City Council as business owners and community members remain divided over the extent of policing. The debate follows weeks of deliberation over proposed changes to a city ordinance that mandates police oversight through the East Lansing Independent Police Oversight Commission, the public body responsible for investigating police misconduct.
At a regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday, the council delayed a second reading of the amended ordinance and pledged to release a “cross-reference” document showing reasoning for the proposed changes.
Ordinance No. 1533 lays out the functions of ELIPOC, advising ELPD on policy and overseeing cases of alleged police misconduct, but it holds no administrative authority. Amendments to the ordinance were introduced on Aug. 12 following the approval of a police union contract, which said the changes were “required.”…