. His wife, Rachael Anderson, told WOOD-TV her husband isn't a Klan member. Lewis questioned Andersons claim that the Confederate flags in his home were part of an extensive Dukes of Hazzard television show collection, telling Calhoun that Anderson never produced requested photos of the collection and so That bucket didnt hold water.. He bought the application about six years ago in Indiana. Cop fired for KKK, Confederate flag memorabilia signs separation agreement. The report confirmed that the officer had six encounters with Robert and Reyna Mathis, datingto July 2008. ARPA Details A Michigan police officer has been fired from the Muskegon Police Department following an inquiry into racist memorabilia found in his home that was for sale. Hilson said the investigation's results will drive reconsideration of the 2009 case, according to MLive.com. "I told my son, 'let's go, we're getting out of here. Lewis was not sure if an officer keeping such items in his home would violate department policies. application had drawn hundreds of messages, some supporting what he had done and others condemning or threatening him. According to the findings of an investigation from the county's prosecutor, Johnson beat Anderson in. It explores the case of former Muskegon Police Officer Charles Chuck Anderson who was fired after a Black couple from Muskegon, potential homebuyers, reported on social media they found racist material in Andersons Holton home that was for sale. Through the professional practice of law enforcement and in partnership with our citizenry, we will create and maintain a safe and secure community; protecting life and property, reducing crime, responding with compassion and establishing a high level of public trust that together improves the quality of life in our community. Anderson was fired in September following the release of the 421-page investigation by Muskegon Public Safety Director Jeffrey Lewis and Muskegon City Manager Peterson. "Whether or not officer Anderson has racist tendencies or not, would that move the needle one way or another? Lawsuits claim it wrecked their teeth. IE 11 is not supported. Referring to Officer Anderson, Mr. Mathis said: Its unfortunate that hes in our community, because he might have put people in jail on false charges, especially minorities. Reyna went to jail for the incident. Officer Charles Anderson was terminated after a disciplinary hearing concluded Thursday afternoon, Muskegon City Manager Frank Peterson told NBC News. Following Mathis' allegations, Anderson, who has been on the force more than 20 years, was put on leave indefinitely, City Manager Frank Peterson said Thursday. I first read about this a couple years ago in the newspaper, the story with the attention-grabbing power of a bad joke. If you are wondering how the racist material was found in his home, so did we. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Hilson told the outlet in Aug. I guess I cant answer that question. "The emotional health and safety of this community is what is most important to me," Lewis said Friday, adding that the city and county "are very serious about this." Janelle Griffith is a national reporter for NBC News focusing on issues of race and policing. 1:00 A white Muskegon police officer created a controversy within the city last month after a black man discovered Ku Klux Klan memorabilia inside his home, which was up for sale. Officer. Prosecutors:US Army soldier planned to kill 'antifa' activists, bomb a major news network. Authorities in Michigan may review a white police officer's fatal shooting of a black man in 2009 after an alleged Ku Klux Klan document was seen on display at the officer's house. "We would not take back what weve done no matter how weve been treated or portrayed," Reyna Mathis said. Mathis is a U.S. Army veteran who was bornin Detroit. The This American Life programs include interviews with the couple, Rob and Reyna Mathis; Muskegon City Manager Frank Peterson; Muskegon Police Chief Jeffrey Lewis; and Andersons wife, Rachel Anderson. "This whole situation is very disheartening," Reyna Mathis said. Officer Charles Anderson of the Muskegon Police Department in Michigan was terminated on Thursday. Anderson placed Reyna under arrest for refusing to follow his orders, and she struck him in the face and eye with her hand, causing minor injury. Related: Cop fired for KKK, Confederate flag memorabilia signs separation agreement. In addition, Lewis said he reviewed the case of Andersons fatal shooting of Julius Johnson, an unarmed Black man, who investigators determined was getting the best of Anderson in a physical fight after fleeing from a traffic stop. Reyna Mathis, the realtor and Anderson's colleagues were also interviewed for the report. Mr. Mathis said he reached out to Officer Anderson and Chief Lewis but never heard from them. (Kayla Renie/Muskegon Chronicle via AP) ARPA Community Grant Program Details + Application, Authorities & Business Improvement Districts, Lot Division/Combination and New Address Applications, 2008 Downtown and Lakeshore Redevelopment Plan, Muskegon Lake Shoreline Assessment Report, 1997 Downtown/Lakeshore Redevelopment Plan, Downtown Development Authority/Brownfield Redevelopment Board, Crime Activity and Traffic Team Lieutenant, Sanford St and Houston Ave Road Construction, Sherman Blvd and Glenside Blvd Road Construction, Roberts St Road Construction and Water Service Line Replacement, Winter Parking Restrictions Begin December 1. 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. Address 1990 E. Apple Avenue Muskegon, MI 49442 Office Hours Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 4:45 PM (Closed 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM for Lunch Hour) Contact Phone: (231) 777-1666 (For Non-Emergencies Only) FOR ALL EMERGENCIES DIAL 911 Chief of Police Tim A. Thielbar Tim.Thielbar@mcd911.net Ext. "If he had just been anybody else," he said, "I wouldve just told my wife, you know, lets put an offer in on the house.". One from 2010 alleges Anderson "acted rudely and disrespectfully" during an incident which led to the use of pepper spray and two people being arrested, the report states. Muskegon City Manager Frank Peterson and the city attorney's office released a 421-page report on the investigation of Charles Anderson, as well as his history as a police officer before he. Charles Anderson was fired from the Muskegon Police Department on Sept. 13. Police in Muskegon, Michigan, launched an internal investigation of officer Charles Anderson last week after the would-be homebuyer, who is black, said he discovered a Confederate flag display and a framed Ku Klux Klan application during a tour of the home. Anderson "loves everything" about the show and has been to the fan convention, Duke Fest, several times. Officer Charles Anderson of the Muskegon Police Department gives his testimony at the Muskegon County Hall of Justice, in Muskegon on Wednesday, March 20, 2019. A police officer in Michigan was terminated on Thursday after a prospective homebuyer who had been touring the officers house posted a picture on social media of a framed Ku Klux Klan application he had seen there, spurring an internal investigation. Ext. Crime Prevention Association of Michigan (CPAM), Address1990 E. Apple AvenueMuskegon, MI 49442, Office HoursMonday-Friday 8:00 AM 4:45 PM (Closed 1:00 PM 2:00 PM for Lunch Hour), ContactPhone: (231) 777-1666(For Non-Emergencies Only), Tim A. Thielbar The former officer said the reason for having the items is his love for history anda classic TV show. The radio program explores other complaints against Anderson, including one in which he ended up pepper-spraying elderly people at a backyard birthday party when he responded to a noise complaint. That was the owner of the house, Officer Charles Anderson, who, at the time, was a 21-year veteran of the Muskegon Police Department. Reyna Mathis was sentenced to 60 days in jail for assaulting an officer, the report states, which she disputes. The separation agreement states Anderson will remain on unpaid status until December 30, 2020. After he posted the picture of the application and the messages poured in, he said, he was trying to explain all of this to my 12-year-old daughter., Its a bad apple, not all law enforcement, Mr. Mathis said. The citizen complaints were investigated by the department and Anderson was exonerated in both cases, the report states. Robertson says Anderson is the officer who made the arrest. Charles Anderson was fired from the Muskegon Police Department on September 12 following an investigation after potential homebuyers said they saw a framed KKK application and Confederate. Mr. Mathis, 52, an Army veteran who is black, said that the picture he had posted on Facebook of the K.K.K. I dont know. 2023 City of Muskegon. Mathis, who is Black, said he felt disgusted by what he saw. Muskegon Police Officer Charles Anderson was placed on paid administrative leave after a house hunter who was viewing the officer's home said he saw a framed Ku Klux Klan application and multiple Confederate flags. The authorities said that Mr. Johnson had repeatedly hit the officer in the head with a blunt object. Officer Charles Anderson of the Muskegon Police Department gives his testimony at the Muskegon County Hall of Justice on March 20, 2019. After seeing the framed KKK document, Knights of the Ku Klux Klan Application for Citizenship, Army veteran and prospective homebuyer Rob Mathis took to Facebook to share what he saw. Rob and Reyna Mathis, who live in Muskegon Township, said they felt a range of emotions, including anger, sadness and shame, after they saw the Ku Klux Klan document inside the house in Holton Township, about 20 miles northeast of Muskegon. Officer Charles Anderson. Mathis took photos of a framed KKK application and Confederate flags in Anderson's Holton Township house while touring it with his wife, Reyna Mathis, and a realtor in early August. 13 On Your Side obtained a separation agreement between the City of Muskegon and Charles Anderson through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. He was cleared of wrongdoing in the 2009 shooting of an unarmed black man, who, an investigation found, used Anderson's police radio and . Michigan police officer fired after a framed Ku Klux Klan application, was fired from the Muskegon Police Department. However, he did interview Andersons wife, Rachel, about their interest in collecting historic and vintage items. Anderson was cleared of any wrongdoing in. The Associated Press contributed to this report. He said the flags are part of his extensive "Dukes of Hazzard" collection. Patrick.Vandommelen2@mcd911.net Mathis, 52, a U.S. Army veteran, has said he felt morally obligated to report what he had witnessed. On December 31, 2020 Anderson will have accrued a total of 25 years and two months of service credit. In 2009, Anderson fatally shot a 23-year-old unarmed Black man Julius Allen-Ray Johnson. Kayla Renie / Muskegon Chronicle via AP file. Subscribe to our YouTube channel. And when he went upstairs, he saw the framed K.K.K. The way things are now, everybody is offended over something, and who knows what that might be? she said. Have a news tip? "I feel as though we are being punished because of something we saw in a home that we never asked to see.". Rob Mathis, the prospective homebuyer, posted on Facebook. Hilson had previously told MLive that the results of the police department investigation will play a role in determining whether the prosecutors office will reopen the 2009 case. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Full credit: Kayla Renie/Muskegon Chronicle/AP. 1117, Patrick Vandommelen MUSKEGON, MI - Former Muskegon police officer Charles Anderson vehemently denied being a racist and told police investigators that the Ku Klux Klan application found in his home was an. Anderson served on the Muskegon police force since 1997. IE 11 is not supported. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. In September 2019, five weeks after their Facebook post about the discovery, city officials concluded that Anderson had lost the publics trust and was fired. However, Muskegon County Prosecutor D.J. Upon announcing the investigation, the Muskegon Police Department acknowledged the post, which brought to their attention the possibility of Anderson being in possession of certain items associated with a white supremacy group.. They both exited the vehicle and refused the officer's orders. Anyone can read what you share. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10214761835347198&set=a.1058959801946&type=3. The paper reported that Anderson was cleared of fatally shooting a black man, Julius Johnson, 23, following a traffic stop in 2009. Last August Rob Mathis, who is black, toured Anderson's home in Holton with his wife Reyna and a Realtor. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Monday Thursday: 8:00am 5:30pm RELATED: Report: Fired Muskegon officer says he's an antique collector. Anderson, who is white, was placed on administrative leave last month after a prospective home buyer said he saw a framed Ku Klux Klan application and multiple Confederate flags in his house. In2016, a complaint stated that the officer did not give back a driver's license to an arrestee and that he did not secure a vehicle after the arrest. MUSKEGON, Mich. (WOOD) A Muskegon police officer is under investigation and on paid administrative leave after items associated with a white supremacy group were found at his home. I wish we could because it would probably set a lot of things straight., MLive, a media company based in Grand Rapids, reported that the Police Departments policy manual does not specifically ban private displays of prejudice, but says officers should perform all duties impartially, without favor or affection or ill will and without regard to status, sex, religion, political belief or aspiration.. Muskegon police officer Charles Anderson has been placed on leave pending an investigation into the couple's claims, the police department said. Johnson had scuffled with Anderson, who was beaten in the head. Friday, Saturday, Sunday: Closed. Long-lost ship found in Lake Huron, confirming tragic story, Ottawa County Board passes motion revising resolution that hired administrative health officer in December, 13 On Your Side Forecast: Minor Wintry Mix This Morning, Consumers Energy restores nearly 90% of state's power, Report: Fired Muskegon officer says he's an antique collector, Residents say Muskegon officer with KKK document has racist history, Threat made against man who found KKK document in Muskegon officer's home, Muskegon NAACP calls for review of officer's arrests and traffic stops. ARPA Community Grant Program Details + Application Officer Charles Anderson of the. They said they were looking for a home with plenty of land to host their children and grandchildren and initially were excited about the potential of Andersons home. I guess I can't answer that question," Hilson told the newspaper. I wish we could because it would probably set a lot of things straight," Rachael Anderson told the television station when a reporter came to the couple's door. Muskegon Police Officer Charles Anderson will retire with full benefits at the end of 2020, according to a separation agreement with the city. Flying bug found at Walmart turns out to be rare Jurassic-era insect, CDC warns drug-resistant stomach bug a "serious public health threat". They also had seen Andersons Muskegon Police uniform and realized a police officer owned the home, the couple said. She was sentenced to 60 days and $414 in fines. 1117 The. The Muskegon Police Department Policy and Procedure Order states that officers' decorum and behavior should not "undercut public trust" in the department. Close alerts. However, it does outline that officers should not conduct themselves in a way that would compromise public trust. Effective December 31, 2020, Anderson's employment with the city will end by way of his retirement. Deasha.Hill@mcd911.net The City of Muskegon released a more than 400-page report on Monday that includes transcripts of interviews with. The Ku Klux Klan document Robert Mathis says was on display at Muskegon Police Officer Charles Anderson's house. A prospective homebuyer found Confederate flags and a framed Ku Klux Klan application in the officers house in Holton, Mich. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. His post went viral. "I was like 'Oh my god! Ten years ago, Officer Anderson shot and killed Julius Johnson, an unarmed black man, during a foot chase. I need a completed internal investigation.. Ebony Davis, a social justice advocate working with the Mathis family to push for law enforcement transparency, said: We want to bridge the gap between the community and the police, because the next generation has to live in this community, a community thats pretty diverse., Michigan Police Officer Is Terminated After K.K.K. Frank Peterson, the city manager of Muskegon, confirmed on Friday that the officer, Charles Anderson, had been terminated, but said a report on the inquiry conducted by the Muskegon Police Department would not be released until next week. Hilson, Muskegons current county prosecutor, told The Muskegon Chronicle that he might re-evaluate the 2009 shooting, depending on the results of the Police Departments internal investigation. In an interview with the city, Anderson confirmed that he had a Confederate flag hanging in his garage, a flag-decorated hot pad on his dining room table and a framed, blank copy of a KKK application from the 1920s. Follow Micah Walker on Twitter:@Micah_walker701. The shooting was determined to be an act of self-defense. When asked if hecontactedone of the owners, Mathis said he did not. 1119, Deasha Hill Finally we hear the officer - and his wife - explain themselves. The public radio program aired the first part, titled A Couple Walks Into a House on Jan. 21, and the second part, A City Walks Into an Investigation on Jan. 28. His charges included resisting an officer and fleeing. This is, this is, oh, Im getting out of here,' " he said. Peterson said the entire inquiry report would likely be released sometime next week. MUSKEGON, Mich. A white Muskegon police officer who displayed Ku Klux Klan memorabilia inside his home, which was up for sale, will retire with benefits from the department at the end of the year. Ext. During Anderson's remaining time on no-pay statues he'll not have access to employment-related benefits. 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