Credit City of Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids police chief Eric Payne plans to retire next year, after two years of leading the department.
Payne first joined GRPD in 1987. He took over as the department’s first Black police chief in the summer of 2019, promising there would be changes.
By 2020, the calls for change amplified nationwide after the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis and the killing of Breonna Taylor. On May 30 last year, a daytime peaceful protest against police in Grand Rapids gave way to a night of mayhem and looting downtown.
The city, and Payne, promised reforms at the department.
Grand Rapids City Commission holds final public hearing before budget vote
It was open to any topic related to the city budget, but every caller shared an opinion on increased GRPD funding. Author: Nate Belt Updated: 11:40 PM EDT May 18, 2021
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. Tuesday night, Grand Rapids commissioners once again heard from those who support the police and those who want to defund the Grand Rapids Police Department. The public hearing lasted more than an hour. It was open to any topic related to the city budget, but every caller shared an opinion on increased GRPD funding.
Calls came from both sides of the conversation, some in favor of defunding.
Opinions for and against ‘defunding the police’ voiced to Grand Rapids city commissioners
Updated 7:21 AM;
Today 7:21 AM
Grand Rapids elected leaders this week are slated to approve the city s spending plan for fiscal year 2022. Pictured is the Grand Rapids City Commission on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2020. (MLive file photo)Cory Morse | MLive.com
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GRAND RAPIDS, MI Arguments for and against defunding the city’s police department were on full display in the public’s last chance to directly tell city leaders their thoughts on the proposed spending plan for 2021-2022 before it’s likely adopted later this week.
During the fiscal year 2022 budget public hearing Tuesday evening, May 18, about 30 people called in to the Grand Rapids City Commission’s virtual meeting, with the majority of them telling city commissioners to defund the Grand Rapids Police Department.
Lester Graham / Michigan Radio
Members of the Michigan-based protest movements that formed in the wake of George Floyd’s killing say Derek Chauvin’s murder conviction is a vindication of their cause.
Leaders from the protest movement called Detroit Will Breathe gathered with supporters in the snow in front of Detroit Police Headquarters just after the Chauvin verdict on Tuesday evening. They said the verdict shows the power of their movement, but it’s hardly the end point.
“Today is certainly a victory for the movement and defense of Black and brown lives. Unfortunately, it falls short of freedom,” said Nakia Wallace, a co-founder of Detroit Will Breathe.
‘Still need to fight for justice,’ Grand Rapids protesters say after murder conviction in George Floyd death
Updated 11:09 PM;
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GRAND RAPIDS, MI Leaders of a Grand Rapids group aimed at stopping police injustice say the murder verdict in George Floyd’s death brings hope, but more work is needed to curb police wrongdoing.
A handful of people initially showed up in downtown Grand Rapids just minutes after the verdict came down at 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 20 against former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin. He was convicted of three counts, including second-degree murder.
A leader with the Grand Rapids group Justice for Black Lives raised his fist in the air and shouted ’guilty!” as reporters stood nearby.