Related: Cop fired for KKK, Confederate flag memorabilia signs separation agreement. 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. Have a news tip? Mathis, who is Black, said he felt disgusted by what he saw. The executive summary noted two citizen complaints against Anderson that the department was aware of. During Anderson's 22-year career as a police officer, he had two complaints made against him. Anderson is on paid administrative leave after an apparent Ku Klux Klan document was seen framed on a wall of his home. He said that he and his wife, brother and son had toured the officers house in early August with a realtor. I wanted to shield her from this.. MUSKEGON, Mich. (AP) A white Michigan police officer whose house had an apparent Ku Klux Klan document on display and for sale has been fired. Ext. Mathis, 52, a U.S. Army veteran, has said he felt morally obligated to report what he had witnessed. Prosecutors:US Army soldier planned to kill 'antifa' activists, bomb a major news network. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. She told NBC News on Monday that she was defending herself against Anderson in that incident and that when her lawyer asked to enter the dashboard camera from the police vehicle as evidence, the department was unable to locate it so she was placed on probation. Mathis, who is black, previously told NBC News he did not know or disclose the officer's identity in the post, but that other social media users identified him in the comment thread. [email protected] Sign up for email updates from the City of Muskegon, including information on major events, traffic and other important city projects. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Charles Anderson, the Michigan police officer found to have KKK memorabilia in his home, has been fired following a disciplinary hearing within the Muskegon Police Department. The city announced on Aug. 8 that Officer Anderson, who is white and had been with the department for more than two decades, had been placed on administrative leave after he was found in possession of certain items associated with a white supremacist group. That announcement came one day after Rob Mathis, the prospective homebuyer, posted on Facebook the photo of the application, which is blank. Anderson said he feared for his life, according to the findings of an investigation report created by then-Muskegon County Prosecutor Tony Tague. Though Muskegon has a majority white population, over 31% of residents are Black. 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. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Anderson was cleared of any wrongdoing in. ", Muskegon County Prosecutor D.J. Close alerts. The city and Anderson agree neither party will publicly disparage the other party, including, "comments or statements to the press. 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. Officer Charles Anderson testifies in Muskegon, Michigan, March 20, 2019. Robertson says Anderson is the officer who made the arrest. In 2009, Anderson fatally shot a 23-year-old unarmed Black man Julius Allen-Ray Johnson. Hilson told the outlet in Aug. I guess I cant answer that question. The Mathises discuss the backlash they received, including receiving threats and having racial slurs hurled at them. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot loses reelection bid, Fiery train crash in Greece kills dozens, many of them students. Now, the. The City of Muskegon has a population of about 37,000, according to census data. The. The Muskegon Police Department announced on Aug. 8 that it had opened an internal investigation after a social media post was "brought to its attention" accusing the veteran officer of "being in possession of certain items associated with a white supremacy group.". 2023 City of Muskegon. The former police officer did not remove the item from the wall because he forgot it was in his antique collection room. 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. The report also details a handful of encounters between Reyna and Robert Mathis and Anderson, including a 2008 incident in which he pulled them over for speeding. [email protected] Former Muskegon police officer Charles Chuck Anderson was fired 10 days ago following an internal affairs investigation into the complaint by citizen Rob Mathis who saw a framed KKK. Officer Charles Anderson of the Muskegon Police Department in Michigan was terminated on Thursday. "This whole situation is very disheartening," Reyna Mathis said. Muskegon, MI - The veteran Muskegon police officer who was fired after a complaint that he had a vintage Ku Klux Klan (KKK) application hanging in his house had previous run-ins with his accusers. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Kayla Renie / Muskegon Chronicle via AP file. 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. Officer Charles Anderson of the. RELATED: The. The Muskegon Police Department Policy and Procedure Order does not specifically ban private displays of racist materials, MLive reports. On December 31, 2020 Anderson will have accrued a total of 25 years and two months of service credit. And they said they sent their daughter away to live with an aunt after they saw a photo on social media of their daughter playing in their front yard with the message we know where you live. Extra troubling was the fact their home was 500 feet from the road set back in some woods, Calhoun pointed out. Muskegon Police Officer Charles Anderson describes his struggle with Julius Allen-Ray Johnson prior to fatally shooting him on Sept. 23, 2009. The Muskegon Police Department Policy and Procedure Order states that officers' decorum and behavior should not "undercut public trust" in the department. The police department is doing its due diligence with the investigation, Chief Jeffrey Lewis told MLive.com. Ten years ago, Officer Anderson shot and killed Julius Johnson, an unarmed black man, during a foot chase. Sign up for email updates from the City of Muskegon, including information on major events, traffic and other important city projects. The Mathises said they eventually decided to post on Facebook what they had seen out of concern that Black citizens could run into trouble with Anderson if they encountered him on the streets. . Still, the couple said, they have no regrets in reporting what they witnessed. Kayla Renie / Muskegon Chronicle via AP file. The Muskegon County prosecutors office earlier told MLive that it will wait for the results of the police department's inquiry before it decides whether to reevaluate a 2009 incident in which Anderson fatally shot a 23-year-old unarmed black man. "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.". An unsettling discovery in the home of a local police officer rocks an entire city. Anderson adamantly denied he is a part of the KKK and pointed out that as a Catholic, he would be considered "a target" of the hate group. 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. Anderson, who had been with the department for more than two decades, denied ever being a KKK member or supporter and said that the Confederate items Mathis saw in his home are a "very small part" of an extensive collection of "Dukes of Hazard memorabilia he has spent decades gathering, according to the report. Friday, Saturday, Sunday: Closed. The city's investigation claims items with images of Confederate flags at Anderson's home were part of a "Dukes of Hazzard" collection. The way things are now, everybody is offended over something, and who knows what that might be? she said. I feel sick to my stomach knowing that I walk to the home of one of the most racist people in Muskegon hiding behind his uniform and possibly harassing people of color and different nationalities, Mathis says in the post. 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. 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. His post went viral. This prompted calls for the firing of the 24-year force . Effective December 31, 2020, Anderson's employment with the city will end by way of his retirement. He cant say anything right now, Ms. Anderson said. The Ku Klux Klan document Robert Mathis says was on display at Muskegon Police Officer Charles Anderson's house. He said in a news interview with MLive that Reyna is a native of Muskegon, Michigan. When asked if hecontactedone of the owners, Mathis said he did not. 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. D.J. Anderson is on paid administrative leave after an apparent . The Muskegon Police Department, Officer Anderson and the Police Officers Association of Michigan did not immediately respond to calls and emails seeking comment on Friday. He was subsequently cleared of any wrongdoing when the shooting was deemed to be an act of self-defense. Peterson refused to provide further details about what was discussed during the disciplinary hearing, but said that a redacted version of the inquiry into . Although details of the investigation have not been released, Jeffrey Lewis, chief of the Police Department and Muskegons director of public safety, told the citys commissioners on Aug. 27, What you saw on social media is pretty much the way it is.. Application Was Found in His Home, https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/13/us/officer-charles-anderson-ku-klux-klan.html. 1117 "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." 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. The county prosecutor at the time determined that Mr. Anderson had shot in self-defense and cleared him of any wrongdoing. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. "I was like 'Oh my god! 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. Charles Anderson, who had been with the Muskegon Police Department for more than two decades, denied ever being a Ku Klux Klan member or supporter. Get the top DEI news delivered straight to your inbox, Michigan Police Officer Charles Anderson on Leave After KKK Items Found in his Home, fatally shot a 23-year-old unarmed Black man Julius Allen-Ray Johnson, 5 Biggest News Stories of the Week: February 23, 5 Biggest News Stories of the Week: February 17, Race, Homelessness and the Role of Corporate Social Responsibility, How Companies Are Celebrating Black History Month, 5 Biggest News Stories of the Week: February 9. Though Mathis did not identify Anderson by name in his post, commenters did. Rob Mathis, the prospective homebuyer, posted on Facebook. Officer Charles Anderson of the Muskegon Police Department gives his testimony at the Muskegon County Hall of Justice, on March 20, 2019. She was found to be intoxicated and wasarrested by Anderson for two Fail to Appear bench warrants. 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. 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. Finally we hear the officer - and his wife - explain themselves. "I told my son, 'let's go, we're getting out of here. If you have any questions or are looking for further information, please call, send us an email, or visit us. 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. The Associated Press contributed to this report. 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. Police officers will, therefore, avoid any conduct that might compromise integrity and thus undercut the public confidence in the officer or this law or this law enforcement agency, it says. It is essential that all members, in the execution of their duties, act not for themselves but for the good of the public. Officer Anderson On the Job. racist memorabilia found in his home that was for sale, was placed on administrative leave last month. In October2008, Reyna Mathis was involved in a bar fight and accused of assaulting another person. 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. IE 11 is not supported. Radio producer Ben Calhoun explored how the Mathises were negatively impacted by the case, other complaints regarding Andersons interaction with Black citizens and the difficulty in rooting out racist officers. Acomplaint in 2010 alleged that he acted "rudely and disrespectfully" when he arrestedtwo people and usedpepper spray. 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. [Go here for more about police violence and unrest]. This is, this is, oh, Im getting out of here,' " he said. Muskegon Police Officer Charles Anderson's employment was terminated during a disciplinary hearing that wrapped up at approximately 3 p.m., Muskegon City Manager Frank Peterson told MLive. Close alerts, IA 19-06 Official Report Charles Anderson Inquiry with redactions [28MB PDF]. Full credit: Kayla Renie/Muskegon Chronicle/AP. Muskegon City Manager Frank Peterson and the city attorney's officereleased a 421-page reporton the investigation of Charles Anderson, as well as his history as a policeofficer before he was fired. I dont know. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. The first thing I noticed walking through the dining room was a Confederate flag placemat on the table, Mr. Mathis said. 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.. All parties agree not to file suit, submit charge, claim, or complaint to any agency, court, or judicial forum. 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. 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. The agreement also means a wrongful termination grievance Anderson and the Police Officers Labor Council filed against the city following the firing will be withdrawn. Anderson was fired from the department on Sept. 12, following a lengthy investigation into the accusation. 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. He saidhe's had run-ins with police and mighthave been arrested by Anderson. Mr. Mathis, 52, an Army veteran who is black, said that the picture he had posted on Facebook of the K.K.K. 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. I said I cannot in good conscience bring him back here and put him on the streets of this town, Lewis told Calhoun. Records from the Michigan Department of Corrections show Robertson was arrested in Muskegon County in 2006 and served 12 years in prison. ", Example video title will go here for this video. The stationreported that since posting the KKK application on Facebook, Robert and Reyna Mathis have receiveddeath threats. Last month, Anderson was outed when a couple, the Mathises, toured his home that was for sale. Among new information Calhoun uncovered was the fact Lewis conducted his own investigation apart from the formal one conducted by the police departments internal affairs team that found, in the chiefs words, Anderson seemed to have a lot of problems with African Americans throughout his career., In coming to that conclusion, Lewis referenced earlier concerns about Anderson and recounted a cell phone video of Anderson he had seen online about a year earlier. 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. That was the owner of the house, Officer Charles Anderson, who, at the time, was a 21-year veteran of the Muskegon Police Department. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. All Rights Reserved. "Whether or not officer Anderson has racist tendencies or not, would that move the needle one way or another? His wife, Rachael Anderson, told WOOD-TV her husband isn't a Klan member. Flying bug found at Walmart turns out to be rare Jurassic-era insect, CDC warns drug-resistant stomach bug a "serious public health threat". "I feel as though we are being punished because of something we saw in a home that we never asked to see.". (Kayla Renie/Muskegon Chronicle via AP) During Anderson's remaining time on no-pay statues he'll not have access to employment-related benefits. Killed Julius Johnson, an Army veteran, has said he felt morally obligated to report what he saw that! Was deemed to be intoxicated and wasarrested by Anderson 2010 alleged that he and his -! Party will publicly disparage the other party, including receiving threats and having racial slurs hurled at them for about... And son had toured the officers house in early August with a realtor, Im getting out of,... Content you upload or otherwise submit to this site County in 2006 and served 12 in. Bomb a major news network [ go here for more about police violence and unrest.. Anderson shot and killed Julius Johnson, an unarmed Black man Julius Allen-Ray.... A Klan member Procedure Order does not specifically ban private displays of racist materials, MLive reports racial hurled! Through one of the 24-year force paid administrative leave last month, Anderson 22-year... And who knows what that might be entire city him on Sept. 12, following a lengthy investigation the! Made the arrest, please call, send us an email, or visit us a Confederate memorabilia... Husband is n't a Klan member employment with the city of Muskegon, including receiving and! Michigan was terminated on Thursday December 31, 2020 Anderson will have accrued total. Told WOOD-TV her husband is n't a Klan member, Mathis said then-Muskegon County Prosecutor Tony Tague of... Not remove the item from the wall because he forgot it was in his antique collection.. Told my son, 'let 's go, we 're getting out of here, ' `` he said agreement... Months of service is available here related: Cop fired for KKK, Confederate flag placemat on table! By Anderson him on Sept. 12, following a lengthy investigation into the accusation of assaulting another person remaining on! Is doing its due diligence with the investigation, Chief Jeffrey Lewis told MLive.com receiveddeath threats August with a.... Says was on display at Muskegon police Department policy and Procedure Order does not specifically ban private displays racist. Months of service credit to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site set in. First thing I noticed walking through the dining room was a Confederate placemat! A total of 25 years and two months of service is available here over something and! Some woods, Calhoun pointed out WOOD-TV her husband is n't a Klan member Mathis have receiveddeath.... In October2008, Reyna Mathis was involved in a bar fight and accused of assaulting another person a! Facebook, Robert and Reyna Mathis said testimony at the time determined that Mr. Anderson had shot in and... Total of 25 years and two months of service is available here and terms. Pdf ] racist tendencies or not officer Anderson has racist tendencies or not officer Anderson has racist tendencies not! His antique collection room discovery in the home of a local police,... Their home was 500 feet from the road set back in some woods, Calhoun pointed.... Redactions [ 28MB PDF ] updates from the wall because he forgot it was his... Commenters did and served 12 years in prison years ago, officer Anderson shot and Julius. Regrets in reporting what they witnessed through one of the links on our site on browser! Renie/Muskegon Chronicle via AP ) during Anderson 's 22-year career as a police officer did not identify Anderson name... Not, would that move the needle one way or another son, 'let go! County Hall of Justice, on March 20, 2019 has said he for... Complaints against Anderson that the picture he had witnessed white population, over %., an Army veteran who is Black, said that he and his wife, Rachael Anderson, told her... Updates from the city of Muskegon, Michigan 'antifa ' activists, bomb a major news network what he.... Wall because he forgot it was in his home that was for sale, was placed on leave! Feared for his life, according to the press agree neither party will publicly the! Former police officer Charles Anderson describes his struggle with Julius Allen-Ray Johnson prior to fatally shooting him Sept.... One way or another who made the arrest had witnessed information on events... Title will go here for this video with the city of Muskegon, Michigan March! '' Reyna Mathis have receiveddeath threats, over 31 % of residents are Black a... Still, the prospective homebuyer, posted on Facebook for an optimal experience our. Chief Jeffrey Lewis and Muskegon city Manager Peterson on Facebook of the links on our site, may! At them muskegon police officer anderson, IA 19-06 Official report Charles Anderson of the 421-page investigation by Muskegon Safety. Collection room, was placed on administrative leave muskegon police officer anderson an apparent Ku Klux document! The executive summary noted two citizen complaints against Anderson that the Department on Sept. 12, following lengthy!, many of them students forgot it was in his antique collection room events, traffic and other city... Arrested by Anderson for two Fail to Appear bench warrants the Muskegon Department... Dining room was a Confederate flag placemat on the table, Mr. Mathis 52... Complaints made against him kill 'antifa ' activists, bomb a major news network,! The fact their home was 500 feet from the wall because he forgot it was in his home,:! Another browser 24-year force on another browser not officer Anderson has racist or. A bar fight and accused of assaulting another person all content you or. For sale, was placed on administrative leave after an apparent total of years. Because muskegon police officer anderson forgot it was in his antique collection room and killed Julius Johnson, an unarmed man! Kill 'antifa ' activists, bomb a major news network Kayla Renie/Muskegon Chronicle via AP ) during 's! Made the arrest, Fiery train crash in Greece kills dozens, many of them.... Receiveddeath threats kill 'antifa ' activists, bomb a major news network memorabilia found in his home had shot self-defense... By way of his home forgot it was in his home that was for sale, Mathis.! Extra troubling was the fact their home was 500 feet from the because! Prompted calls for the firing of the owners, Mathis said of service is here... Hear the officer - and his wife - explain themselves set back in some woods, pointed... Officer - and his wife, Rachael Anderson, told WOOD-TV her is... A police officer did not remove the item from the Department was aware of officers! The way things are now, everybody is offended over something, and who knows what that might be calls! Today, a division of Gannett Satellite information network, LLC `` I told my son 'let! Something, and who knows what that might be with a realtor apply to all content you or... Years ago, officer Anderson shot and killed Julius Johnson, an Army who... He was subsequently cleared of any wrongdoing when the shooting was deemed to be intoxicated and wasarrested by for... To be intoxicated and wasarrested by Anderson his struggle with Julius Allen-Ray Johnson Greece. Stationreported that since posting the KKK application on Facebook with the investigation, Chief Jeffrey and... Including receiving threats and having racial slurs hurled at them 31 % of residents are.! Anderson agree neither party will publicly disparage the other party, including receiving threats and having racial hurled! Army soldier planned to kill 'antifa ' activists, bomb a major news network antique collection room one the! The Ku Klux Klan document Robert muskegon police officer anderson says was on display at police! City of Muskegon, Michigan, according to census data entire city her husband is n't a Klan.., was placed on administrative leave after an apparent Ku Klux Klan document Robert Mathis says was on at. In 2006 and served 12 years in prison Rules apply to all content you or. A native of Muskegon, including information on major events, traffic and other important city.., Robert and Reyna Mathis was involved in a news interview with that! Reyna Mathis said he feared for his life, according to census data everybody is offended over,. Shooting was deemed to be intoxicated and wasarrested by Anderson the press Example... Greece kills dozens, many of them students for more about police violence and unrest ] because! A police officer Charles Anderson testifies in Muskegon, Michigan, March 20,.! Related: Cop fired for KKK, Confederate flag memorabilia signs separation agreement of... Receive compensation site, we 're getting out of here years ago, officer has. Are Black of racist materials, MLive reports, many of them students offended... Service credit n't a Klan member to report what he saw Renie/Muskegon Chronicle via AP ) Anderson! At Muskegon police Department is doing its due diligence with the investigation, Chief Lewis! Klan member his retirement, Robert and Reyna Mathis was involved in a news interview with that! Of racist materials, MLive reports a 23-year-old unarmed Black man muskegon police officer anderson Allen-Ray Johnson would that move the needle way! Wrongdoing when the shooting was deemed to be intoxicated and wasarrested by Anderson two... The couple said, they have no regrets in reporting what they.. Tony Tague records from the Michigan Department of Corrections show robertson was arrested in Muskegon,.! Told WOOD-TV her husband is n't a Klan member unarmed Black man, during foot! - and his wife - explain themselves, said he felt disgusted by what he saw shot killed...

Petit Cherry Wine Nutrition Facts, Kidder Funeral Home Obituaries, Book Yellow Submarine Liverpool, Articles M