Warren Evans: Difference between revisions
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== Detroit Police Chief Tenure and Resignation (2009-2010) == | == Detroit Police Chief Tenure and Resignation (2009-2010) == | ||
=== Mobile Strike Force === | |||
During his tenure as Detroit Police Chief in 2009-2010, Warren Evans implemented an aggressive policing strategy reviving elements of the [[Stop the Robberies, Enjoy Safe Streets (STRESS)|"STRESS" (Stop the Robberies, Enjoy Safe Streets)]] program, which had been controversial in Detroit's history during the 1970s. Under Evans' leadership, a Mobile Strike Force was created that was directed by Evans to use any legal violation, including minor infractions like jaywalking, as pretexts to search for weapons and drugs.<ref name=":2">Amber Hunt, ''"Police Prowl City for Guns"'', Detroit Free Press, June 6, 2010</ref> The policy included ordering his Mobile Strike Force to conduct extensive traffic stops in "high-crime areas" for even small violations, hoping to find unregistered guns.<ref name=":0">George Hunter and Charlie LeDuff, "''Detroit police crackdown crosses line, critics say''", The Detroit News, A1, March 3, 2010.</ref> Particularly controversial was a memo from Inspector Eric Jones threatening "WRITTEN progressive discipline" for officers who didn't make enough traffic stops, which critics argued amounted to an illegal quota system.<ref name=":0" /> | |||
Evans' approach faced growing criticism for its "military-style" tactics.<ref name=":3">G.W. Schulz, ''"More observers asking if Detroit's 'paramilitary' police tactics go too far"'', Center for Investigative Reporting, June 17, 2010</ref> The department made extensive use of SWAT teams and special response units carrying submachine guns and military-grade equipment.<ref name=":3" /> This militarization trend was part of a broader post-9/11 shift in American policing, enabled by federal homeland security grants that provided military surplus equipment to local departments.<ref name=":3" /> The approach drew criticism from civil rights advocates. The Detroit Coalition Against Police Brutality reported increased civilian complaints and warned about deteriorating police-community relations.<ref name=":2" /> The coalition reported a 67% increase in weekly complaint calls, and citizen complaints to the [[Detroit Police Commission|Police Commission]] rose 10% in the second half of 2009 compared to the same period in 2008.<ref name=":0" /> | |||
After the police killing of 7-year-old Aiyana Stanley-Jones during a SWAT raid, Mayor [[Dave Bing]] publicly declared he would be "reigning in" Evans' aggressive tactics.<ref name=":3" /> | |||
=== Police Killing of Aiyana Stanley-Jones === | |||
On May 16, 2010, during a raid filmed by TV crews for A&E's "The First 48", seven-year-old Aiyana Stanley-Jones was fatally shot by Officer Joseph Weekley of the Detroit Police Special Response Team while she slept on a couch in her home.<ref name=":1">Charlie LeDuff, ''"What Killed Aiyana Stanley-Jones?"'', Mother Jones, November/December 2010</ref> The raid, which occurred shortly after midnight, began with officers throwing a flash-bang grenade through the window of the lower unit where Aiyana was sleeping.<ref name=":1" /> The incident drew criticism over both the aggressive tactics used and the presence of TV cameras, with some suggesting the TV crew's presence may have influenced the operation's execution.<ref>Rose Hackman, "''<nowiki/>'She was only a baby': last charge dropped in police raid that killed sleeping Detroit child"'', The Guardian, January 31, 2015</ref> Evans was criticized for allowing cameras to accompany police during dangerous operations, with a high-ranking Detroit police official quoted as saying "It is not protocol...I've never used a flash-bang in a case like this."<ref name=":1" /> The case was later settled with the family for $8.25 million in 2019.<ref>''"Officer negligently shot, killed 7-year-old girl, per lawsuit"'', VerdictSearch, April 4, 2019</ref> | |||
=== "The Chief" === | === "The Chief" === | ||
Revision as of 15:32, 12 February 2025
Warren Evans, who served as Wayne County Sheriff and Detroit Police Chief before becoming Wayne County Executive, faced several controversies during his career in public service.
Wayne County Sheriff
Detroit Police Chief Tenure and Resignation (2009-2010)
Mobile Strike Force
During his tenure as Detroit Police Chief in 2009-2010, Warren Evans implemented an aggressive policing strategy reviving elements of the "STRESS" (Stop the Robberies, Enjoy Safe Streets) program, which had been controversial in Detroit's history during the 1970s. Under Evans' leadership, a Mobile Strike Force was created that was directed by Evans to use any legal violation, including minor infractions like jaywalking, as pretexts to search for weapons and drugs.[1] The policy included ordering his Mobile Strike Force to conduct extensive traffic stops in "high-crime areas" for even small violations, hoping to find unregistered guns.[2] Particularly controversial was a memo from Inspector Eric Jones threatening "WRITTEN progressive discipline" for officers who didn't make enough traffic stops, which critics argued amounted to an illegal quota system.[2]
Evans' approach faced growing criticism for its "military-style" tactics.[3] The department made extensive use of SWAT teams and special response units carrying submachine guns and military-grade equipment.[3] This militarization trend was part of a broader post-9/11 shift in American policing, enabled by federal homeland security grants that provided military surplus equipment to local departments.[3] The approach drew criticism from civil rights advocates. The Detroit Coalition Against Police Brutality reported increased civilian complaints and warned about deteriorating police-community relations.[1] The coalition reported a 67% increase in weekly complaint calls, and citizen complaints to the Police Commission rose 10% in the second half of 2009 compared to the same period in 2008.[2]
After the police killing of 7-year-old Aiyana Stanley-Jones during a SWAT raid, Mayor Dave Bing publicly declared he would be "reigning in" Evans' aggressive tactics.[3]
Police Killing of Aiyana Stanley-Jones
On May 16, 2010, during a raid filmed by TV crews for A&E's "The First 48", seven-year-old Aiyana Stanley-Jones was fatally shot by Officer Joseph Weekley of the Detroit Police Special Response Team while she slept on a couch in her home.[4] The raid, which occurred shortly after midnight, began with officers throwing a flash-bang grenade through the window of the lower unit where Aiyana was sleeping.[4] The incident drew criticism over both the aggressive tactics used and the presence of TV cameras, with some suggesting the TV crew's presence may have influenced the operation's execution.[5] Evans was criticized for allowing cameras to accompany police during dangerous operations, with a high-ranking Detroit police official quoted as saying "It is not protocol...I've never used a flash-bang in a case like this."[4] The case was later settled with the family for $8.25 million in 2019.[6]
"The Chief"
The most prominent issue involved his participation in a promotional video for a proposed reality TV show called "The Chief." The video showed Evans carrying weapons and promoting an aggressive law enforcement style. Then-Mayor Dave Bing cited this video as inappropriate and a factor in requesting Evans' resignation.
- Carrying military-style weapons
- Conducting raids
- Making dramatic statements about fighting crime
- Portraying an aggressive, TV-style approach to policing
The video's tone and content were criticized as inappropriate for a sitting police chief and potentially compromising to police operations. When the video became public, it created significant political backlash.
Relationship with Subordinate
Additionally, Evans faced scrutiny over his romantic relationship with Lieutenant Monique Patterson, a subordinate officer in the department. This relationship raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest and professional conduct.Evans faced scrutiny over his relationship with Lieutenant Monique Patterson, who worked in the department. The relationship raised concerns about:
Chain of command issues
Professional conduct standards
Potential conflicts of interest in departmental decisions
The relationship became public knowledge and added to the growing controversies surrounding his leadership.
In July 2010, Evans resigned as Detroit Police Chief after approximately one year in the position.
As before his Detroit Police Chief role, Evans faced criticism over departmental spending and management practices.
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Amber Hunt, "Police Prowl City for Guns", Detroit Free Press, June 6, 2010
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 George Hunter and Charlie LeDuff, "Detroit police crackdown crosses line, critics say", The Detroit News, A1, March 3, 2010.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 G.W. Schulz, "More observers asking if Detroit's 'paramilitary' police tactics go too far", Center for Investigative Reporting, June 17, 2010
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Charlie LeDuff, "What Killed Aiyana Stanley-Jones?", Mother Jones, November/December 2010
- ↑ Rose Hackman, "'She was only a baby': last charge dropped in police raid that killed sleeping Detroit child", The Guardian, January 31, 2015
- ↑ "Officer negligently shot, killed 7-year-old girl, per lawsuit", VerdictSearch, April 4, 2019