Because he was a police officer, it was my moral obligation to say something about it.. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Mathis said in the post that he and his wife, Reyna, had been house hunting for more than a month and thought the house "would be perfect" for them. It also said officers shall "perform all duties impartially, without favor or affection or ill will and without regard to status, sex, race, religion, political belief or aspiration," according to MLive.com. 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. 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. 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.. 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. 8617, Amy Gerard "Whether or not officer Anderson has racist tendencies or not, would that move the needle one way or another? Acomplaint in 2010 alleged that he acted "rudely and disrespectfully" when he arrestedtwo people and usedpepper spray. 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 (Kayla Renie/Muskegon Chronicle via AP) However, Muskegon County Prosecutor D.J. He said if Robert and Reyna Mathis had contacted him, he would have explained why he had those items and apologized. 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.. Anderson has never spoken with the media about the case, and the producer of the This American Life programs didnt have luck reaching him either. "I don't know. 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 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 . Lewis was not sure if an officer keeping such items in his home would violate department policies. As the family walked around, he said, his wife noticed a police officers coat, and he saw two more Confederate flags in the garage. On December 31, 2020 Anderson will have accrued a total of 25 years and two months of service credit. She was sentenced to 60 days and $414 in fines. He said that he and his wife, brother and son had toured the officers house in early August with a realtor. This prompted calls for the firing of the 24-year force . Rob Mathis posted a picture of the framed KKK application on Facebook, at the time knowing the home belonged to a Muskegon Police officer. Full credit: Kayla Renie/Muskegon Chronicle/AP. Read MLive coverage of the Charles Anderson case: Fired Muskegon officers personnel file reflects shooting incidents, high praise, Mortified Michigan couple talk about finding KKK memorabilia in officers home, City fires police officer who had KKK memorabilia in home, Ex-police officer says KKK document was an antique, denies being racist, Interview with ex-officer sheds light on racist memorabilia found in home. Michigan police officer fired after a framed Ku Klux Klan application, was fired from the Muskegon Police Department. The stationreported that since posting the KKK application on Facebook, Robert and Reyna Mathis have receiveddeath threats. According to the findings of an investigation from the county's prosecutor, Johnson beat Anderson in. 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. / CBS/AP. We hope that you find the information on our website helpful and easy to find. The first thing I noticed walking through the dining room was a Confederate flag placemat on the table, Mr. Mathis said. Anyone can read what you share. When Calhoun pressed her on how that might be offensive and scary to some people, Rachel Anderson said that didnt change her opinion. IE 11 is not supported. 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. 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. It was basically telling me, whites only to purchase his house. Muskegon, MI Muskegon police officer Charles Anderson has been placed on paid vacation and not fired after racist KKK memorabilia was discovered in his home. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Monday Thursday: 8:00am 5:30pm . 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. Officer Charles Anderson was terminated after a disciplinary hearing concluded Thursday afternoon, Muskegon City Manager Frank Peterson told NBC News. Have a news tip? She was found to be intoxicated and wasarrested by Anderson for two Fail to Appear bench warrants. Email news@13onyourside.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter. 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.. Mr. Mathis said he reached out to Officer Anderson and Chief Lewis but never heard from them. Technically, he signed a separation agreement and walked away with his pension and health insurance. 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. application hanging on the wall. 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. ARPA Details 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. 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. 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. 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. Peterson refused to provide further details about what was discussed during the disciplinary hearing, but said that a redacted version of the inquiry into . The executive summary noted two citizen complaints against Anderson that the department was aware of. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. 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. However, he did interview Andersons wife, Rachel, about their interest in collecting historic and vintage items. "I told my son, 'let's go, we're getting out of here. Last month, Anderson was outed when a couple, the Mathises, toured his home that was for sale. 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. Make it easy to keep up to date with more stories like this. This dental device was sold to fix patients' jaws. Charles Anderson was fired from the Muskegon Police Department on September 12 following an investigation after potential homebuyers said they saw a . 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. Officer Charles Anderson of the Muskegon Police Department gives his testimony at the Muskegon County Hall of Justice on March 20, 2019. Finally we hear the officer - and his wife - explain themselves. MUSKEGON COUNTY, MI The case of a Muskegon police officer fired after Confederate flags and KKK memorabilia were found in his home was the subject of a two-part series by the This American Life radio program that examines the difficulty of rooting racism out of police forces. 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. The way things are now, everybody is offended over something, and who knows what that might be? she said. He said in a news interview with MLive that Reyna is a native of Muskegon, Michigan. Janelle Griffith is a national reporter for NBC News focusing on issues of race and policing. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. Anderson is on paid administrative leave after an apparent Ku Klux Klan document was seen framed on a wall of his home. discovered Ku Klux Klan memorabilia inside his home, California utility cuts power to more than 20,000 customers, US Army soldier planned to kill 'antifa' activists, bomb a major news network, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. 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. Official Internal Investigations Report - Officer Anderson September 24, 2019 IA 19-06 Official Report Charles Anderson Inquiry with redactions [28MB PDF] Previous Next Document Search Stay Connected Sign up for email updates from the City of Muskegon, including information on major events, traffic and other important city projects. 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. Anderson was cleared of any wrongdoing in. Cop fired for KKK, Confederate flag memorabilia signs separation agreement. ARPA Details 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.". 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.. The authorities said that Mr. Johnson had repeatedly hit the officer in the head with a blunt object. Related: Cop fired for KKK, Confederate flag memorabilia signs separation agreement. "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." Charles Anderson was placed on leave last month after a prospective home buyer said they saw a Ku Klux Klan application and Confederate flags in his house. Close alerts, IA 19-06 Official Report Charles Anderson Inquiry with redactions [28MB PDF]. Officer Charles Anderson of the Muskegon Police Department gives his testimony at the Muskegon County Hall of Justice, on March 20, 2019. The city and Anderson agree neither party will publicly disparage the other party, including, "comments or statements to the press. The man behind the Facebook post, Robert Mathis, uploaded a picture of the KKK document on Facebook on Aug. 7 after touring Andersons home with his wife, Reyna, their two children and a realtor. 1117, Patrick Vandommelen Kayla Renie / Muskegon Chronicle via AP file. ", Muskegon County Prosecutor D.J. 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. [Go here for more about police violence and unrest]. 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. The police department is doing its due diligence with the investigation, Chief Jeffrey Lewis told MLive.com. I need a completed internal investigation.". Sign up for email updates from the City of Muskegon, including information on major events, traffic and other important city projects. Download the 13 ON YOUR SIDE app now. Anderson was pursuing 23-year-old Julius Johnson during a traffic stop on Sept. 23, 2009. According to the report, Robert Mathis toured Anderson's home with his family and a real estate agentAug. 7. Lawsuits claim it wrecked their teeth. They also had seen Andersons Muskegon Police uniform and realized a police officer owned the home, the couple said. Neither Anderson nor the officers union, the Police Officers Labor Council, could immediately be reached for comment. It is essential that all members, in the execution of their duties, act not for themselves but for the good of the public. Charles Anderson was terminated after a Thursday morning hearing. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. ARPA Community Grant Program Details + Application 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. Ten years ago, Officer Anderson shot and killed Julius Johnson, an unarmed black man, during a foot chase. Patrick.Vandommelen2@mcd911.net . Although Rob and Reyna Mathis originally debated whether to share the photos publicly, they said they felt a need to inform the community about what they had witnessed. They said they thought it odd there were items with Confederate flags in the garage and home, but Rob Mathis told Calhoun he was undone when he saw a framed application to join the KKK in one of the bedrooms. 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. Officer Charles Anderson of the Muskegon Police Department gives his testimony at the Muskegon County Hall of Justice, on March 20, 2019. Sign up for email updates from the City of Muskegon, including information on major events, traffic and other important city projects. 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. MUSKEGON, Mich. (WOOD) The Muskegon police officer who had Ku Klux Klan memorabilia in his home has lost his job. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. He bought the application about six years ago in Indiana. 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. 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. Though Mathis did not identify Anderson by name in his post, commenters did. 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