1119, Deasha Hill In a report released by Muskegon City Manager Frank Peterson last year officer Charles Anderson claimed the framed Ku Klux Klan application on a bedroom wall at his home was part of an antiques collection. He also said that the police had warned him about a death threat. 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. Reyna Mathis was sentenced to 60 days in jail for assaulting an officer, the report states, which she disputes. Finally we hear the officer - and his wife - explain themselves. His charges included resisting an officer and fleeing. Anderson was fired from the department on Sept. 12, following a lengthy investigation into the accusation. Though Mathis did not identify Anderson by name in his post, commenters did. application hanging on the wall. Mr. Mathis, 52, an Army veteran who is black, said that the picture he had posted on Facebook of the K.K.K. When Calhoun pressed her on how that might be offensive and scary to some people, Rachel Anderson said that didnt change her opinion. A two-part series by the "This American Life" public radio program explores the case of former Muskegon Police Officer Charles Chuck Anderson, shown here in a file photo, 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. In 2009, Anderson fatally shot a 23-year-old unarmed Black man Julius Allen-Ray Johnson. The City of Muskegon has a population of about 37,000, according to census data. 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. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Monday Thursday: 8:00am 5:30pm Ext. However, it does outline that officers should not conduct themselves in a way that would compromise public trust. 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. It also states officers have a duty to avoid, both on and off duty, conduct that reflects unfavorably on the department, including any behavior that brings the department disrepute, discredits the individual as a member of the department, or impairs the operation, effectiveness or efficiency of the department and/or its members.. 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. 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. 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. 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. We hope that you find the information on our website helpful and easy to find. Officer Andersons wife, Rachael Anderson, told WOOD-TV, a local television station, that her husband was not a Klan member. 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. Tim.Thielbar@mcd911.net The Muskegon Police Department opened an internal investigation after Robert Mathis, who is black, posted a picture of the document on Facebook after touring Anderson's Holton-area home, which was for sale. The separation agreement states Anderson will remain on unpaid status until December 30, 2020. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. 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. That was the owner of the house, Officer Charles Anderson, who, at the time, was a 21-year veteran of the Muskegon Police Department. ARPA Details She was found to be intoxicated and wasarrested by Anderson for two Fail to Appear bench warrants. The executive summary noted two citizen complaints against Anderson that the department was aware of. All Rights Reserved. Friday, Saturday, Sunday: Closed. 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.. ARPA Community Grant Program Details + Application 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, IA 19-06 Official Report Charles Anderson Inquiry with redactions. Mathis said he had received death threats after uploading the images to Facebook. 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. I dont know. According to the report, Robert Mathis toured Anderson's home with his family and a real estate agentAug. 7. Officer Charles Anderson of the Muskegon Police Department in Michigan was terminated on Thursday. 1119 Police Clerk Deasha Hill Deasha.Hill@mcd911.net Ext. Johnson had scuffled with Anderson, who was beaten in the head. 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. A white Michigan police officer fired after a framed Ku Klux Klan application and Confederate flags were found in his home, denied being a racist in an inquiry into the items and said he collected antiques and memorabilia linked to The Dukes of Hazzard television series. They said friends of their 12-year-old daughter told her their parents wouldnt let them talk to her. He said his wife was upset, and he told her, Were getting out of here. The realtor was very apologetic, he added. 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.. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Anderson had worked at the Muskegon Police Department for 20 years prior to being terminated. However, he did interview Andersons wife, Rachel, about their interest in collecting historic and vintage items. 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. Nothing was revealed to us that shocked us, Chief Lewis said of the investigation. Officer Charles Anderson of the. 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. 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. Anderson is on paid administrative leave after an apparent . 1117 Instead, the city released the more than 400-page investigative report that didnt find any pattern of problems with Black citizens that Lewis said hed uncovered. Officer Charles Anderson of the Muskegon Police Department gives his testimony at the Muskegon County Hall of Justice, on March 20, 2019. This is a Klan house, really, we have to go right now.' 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 report states they refused to comply with Andersons commands and Reyna Mathis "struck him in the face and eye with her hand." 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. The first thing I noticed walking through the dining room was a Confederate flag placemat on the table, Mr. Mathis said. Anderson said the reason for the KKK application is related to his passion for U.S. history from the late 1800s to the 1960s. Rob Mathis posted this photo of a framed Ku Klux Klan application, which he said he had seen hanging in the house of Officer Charles Anderson, on Facebook last month. "Whether or not officer Anderson has racist tendencies or not, would that move the needle one way or another? According to the findings of an investigation from the county's prosecutor, Johnson beat Anderson in. 2019 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. Related: Cop fired for KKK, Confederate flag memorabilia signs separation agreement. 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. Ext. Charles Anderson was fired from the Muskegon Police Department on September 12 following an investigation after potential homebuyers said they saw a . Muskegon police officer Charles Anderson has been placed on leave pending an investigation into the couple's claims, the police department said. (12 minutes) Officer. The. When asked if hecontactedone of the owners, Mathis said he did not. 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. Address Police Department City Hall1st Floor 933 Terrace St Muskegon, MI 49440 Hours Monday - Thursday: 8:00am - 5:30pm Friday, Saturday, Sunday: Closed Phone (231) 724-6903 Fax (231) 724-2043 Send a message Document Search Stay Connected The report includes an executive summary written by Muskegon Police Chief Jeffrey Lewis that concluded that some community leaders indicated that they had lost faith in Anderson and in the entire police department as a result of Anderson's actions. Download the 13 ON YOUR SIDE app now. The department assures the public that they are investigating the allegations. 1117, Patrick Vandommelen The Ku Klux Klan document Robert Mathis says was on display at Muskegon Police Officer Charles Anderson's house. 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. He mentioned seeing Confederate flags on the walls, dining room table and garage. 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. Kayla Renie / Muskegon Chronicle via AP file. ARPA Details In the report, Mathis said he toured the home because he and Reyna were looking for a residence that had a significant amount of land so the two of them, along with their 12-year-old daughter and 21-year-old son, could spend more time outdoors. 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. Anderson was cleared of any wrongdoing in that 2009 incident. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Monday Thursday: 8:00am 5:30pm The former officer said the reason for having the items is his love for history anda classic TV show. 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 report confirmed that the officer had six encounters with Robert and Reyna Mathis, datingto July 2008. 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. In it, Lewis said Anderson is seen, seemingly unprovoked, shoving an elderly woman to the ground in an act Lewis found just inappropriatejust wrong., He also considered the concerns about Anderson that other officers had confided in the chief and an incident where Anderson told a female business owner to shut up, he told This American Life.. The shooting was determined to be an act of self-defense. A five-page separation agreement between the City of Muskegon, officer Charles Anderson, and the Police Officers Labor Council was signed by all parties in April. 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. 2023 City of Muskegon. Because he was a police officer, it was my moral obligation to say something about it.. "I was just so disgusted," Mathis told MLive.com. 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. Anderson said the unsigned KKK application from the 1920s is a historic item, purchased from a vendor in Indiana and collected as part of his interest in American history and antiques. Officer Charles Anderson. Prosecutors:US Army soldier planned to kill 'antifa' activists, bomb a major news network. All parties agree not to file suit, submit charge, claim, or complaint to any agency, court, or judicial forum. 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. Close alerts. D.J. Officer Charles Anderson of the Muskegon Police Department gives his testimony at the Muskegon County Hall of Justice, on March 20, 2019. / CBS/AP. A report by then-Muskegon County Prosecutor Tony Tague found that Julius Johnson hit Anderson in the head with a police radio and "another blunt object" and noted that Anderson was forced to get a . 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. "I told my son, 'let's go, we're getting out of here. Reyna and Robert Mathis said they believe the department tried to tarnish their images to make Anderson look good and as if the couple was seeking revenge after 11 years. 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