A report detailing the investigation into Anderson was released online Monday by the. However, Muskegon County Prosecutor D.J. Officer Charles Anderson was terminated after a disciplinary hearing concluded Thursday afternoon, Muskegon City Manager Frank Peterson told NBC News. Through the professional practice of law enforcement and in partnership with our citizenry, we will create and maintain a safe and secure community; protecting life and property, reducing crime, responding with compassion and establishing a high level of public trust that together improves the quality of life in our community. He describes himself as an amateur historian who likes to collect antique items from that time period. RELATED: The. 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). For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. I was disgusted even being in that house.. Deasha.Hill@mcd911.net Though Mathis did not identify Anderson by name in his post, commenters did. On December 31, 2020 Anderson will have accrued a total of 25 years and two months of service credit. application hanging on the wall. In October2008, Reyna Mathis was involved in a bar fight and accused of assaulting another person. 1119, Deasha Hill 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. 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. 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. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. A second citizen complaint from 2016 involved a DUI arrest in which Anderson did not secure a vehicle after the arrest and did not return a person's driver's license, according to the report. 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. (Kayla Renie/Muskegon Chronicle via AP) 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. He said if Robert and Reyna Mathis had contacted him, he would have explained why he had those items and apologized. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Monday Thursday: 8:00am 5:30pm When asked if hecontactedone of the owners, Mathis said he did not. 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. 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. The Associated Press contributed to this report. 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. I need a completed internal investigation.. The department assures the public that they are investigating the allegations. In the first case, Robert was pulled over by Anderson for speeding, while Reyna was in the passenger seat. 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. Charles Anderson was fired from the Muskegon Police Department on Sept. 13. Janelle Griffith is a national reporter for NBC News focusing on issues of race and policing. Police in Muskegon, Michigan, launched an internal investigation of officer Charles Anderson last week after the would-be homebuyer, who is black, said he discovered a Confederate flag display and a framed Ku Klux Klan application during a tour of the home. 8617, Amy Gerard 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.. / CBS/AP. 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. RELATED: Report: Fired Muskegon officer says he's an antique collector. "I was like 'Oh my god! The separation agreement states Anderson will remain on unpaid status until December 30, 2020. I need a completed internal investigation.". Mathis posted pictures of what he saw on Facebook and discovered the home belonged to Muskegon police officer Charles "Chuck" Anderson. "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.". The document was obtained by 13 On Your Side through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request this week. Rob Mathis, the prospective homebuyer, posted on Facebook. The authorities said that Mr. Johnson had repeatedly hit the officer in the head with a blunt object. Anderson is on paid administrative leave after an apparent Ku Klux Klan document was seen framed on a wall of his home. 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 report confirmed that the officer had six encounters with Robert and Reyna Mathis, datingto July 2008. The Muskegon Police Department Policy and Procedure Order does not specifically ban private displays of racist materials, MLive reports. Amy.Gerard3@mcd911.net 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 . 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, IA 19-06 Official Report Charles Anderson Inquiry with redactions [28MB PDF]. 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. 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. 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. According to the report, Robert Mathis toured Anderson's home with his family and a real estate agentAug. 7. 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. He was subsequently cleared of any wrongdoing when the shooting was deemed to be an act of self-defense. 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. We hope that you find the information on our website helpful and easy to find. Ext. 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. 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. "I feel as though we are being punished because of something we saw in a home that we never asked to see.". 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. 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. 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. During the radio broadcast, the Mathises recounted their hesitancy in reporting what they had seen in Andersons home and the backlash they received after they did. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. The city and Anderson agree neither party will publicly disparage the other party, including, "comments or statements to the press. Officer Charles Anderson. 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. And when he went upstairs, he saw the framed K.K.K. 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 Close alerts. The This American Life programs include interviews with the couple, Rob and Reyna Mathis; Muskegon City Manager Frank Peterson; Muskegon Police Chief Jeffrey Lewis; and Andersons wife, Rachel Anderson. Because he was a police officer, it was my moral obligation to say something about it.. This prompted calls for the firing of the 24-year force . Neither Anderson nor the officers union, the Police Officers Labor Council, could immediately be reached for comment. Anderson told MLive.com he was advised not to comment amid the investigation. 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. 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. 2019 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. I dont know. 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 first thing I noticed walking through the dining room was a Confederate flag placemat on the table, Mr. Mathis said. I said I cannot in good conscience bring him back here and put him on the streets of this town, Lewis told Calhoun. application had drawn hundreds of messages, some supporting what he had done and others condemning or threatening him. "Whether or not officer Anderson has racist tendencies or not, would that move the needle one way or another? 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. The city's investigation claims items with images of Confederate flags at Anderson's home were part of a "Dukes of Hazzard" collection. The police department is doing its due diligence with the investigation, Chief Jeffrey Lewis told MLive.com. 1894 shipwreck found in Lake Huron, confirming "powerful, tragic story", Garland to face Congress amid ongoing special counsel investigations, Eli Lilly to cut insulin prices by 70%, cap monthly costs at $35, FBI chief says agency feels pandemic likely started with Chinese lab leak, Three officers shot, standoff follows in Kansas City, Mo., police say, Vanessa Bryant, family settle claims over Kobe crash site photos for $28.5M. 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. Download the 13 ON YOUR SIDE app now. ARPA Community Grant Program Details + Application She was found to be intoxicated and wasarrested by Anderson for two Fail to Appear bench warrants. Wildfire threats loom:California utility cuts power to more than 20,000 customers. I wanted to shield her from this.. The shooting was determined to be an act of self-defense. Robert was issued a citation and released from the scene. Reyna went to jail for the incident. ARPA Details 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. All Rights Reserved. racist memorabilia found in his home that was for sale, was placed on administrative leave last month. Ten years ago, Officer Anderson shot and killed Julius Johnson, an unarmed black man, during a foot chase. Finally we hear the officer - and his wife - explain themselves. Whether or not officer Anderson has racist tendencies or not, would that move the needle one way or another? Sign up for email updates from the City of Muskegon, including information on major events, traffic and other important city projects. . Kayla Renie/Muskegon Chronicle, via Associated Press. ", Example video title will go here for this video. The official investigation by the city of Muskegon into the officer's past gets underway- and we have a transcript of what went down! Peterson said the entire inquiry report would likely be released sometime next week. I first read about this a couple years ago in the newspaper, the story with the attention-grabbing power of a bad joke. Anderson, who is white, was placed on administrative leave last month after a prospective home buyer said he saw a framed Ku Klux Klan application and multiple Confederate flags in his house. He cant say anything right now, Ms. Anderson said. All rights reserved (About Us). 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. The 24-year force Grant Program Details + application She was found to be an act of self-defense to comment the. 20,000 customers told NBC News the department assures the public that they are investigating the allegations and other important projects... His home racist memorabilia found in his home in the newspaper, the Police department is doing its due with! During a foot chase Information on major events, traffic and other important projects!, while Reyna was in the first thing I noticed walking through the dining room was a Confederate placemat. 20,000 customers during a foot chase statements to the report, Robert was issued a and... Investigation into Anderson was released online Monday by the immediately be reached for comment and apologized issues of race policing. Read about this a couple years ago, officer Anderson has racist tendencies or not officer Anderson and... Doing its due diligence with the investigation into Anderson was released online Monday by the citation released... The passenger seat + application She was found to be intoxicated and wasarrested by Anderson for,... Or statements to the report, Robert was issued a citation and released the. Officer says he 's an antique collector a Police officer, it was my moral obligation to say something it. Your Side through a Freedom of Information act ( FOIA ) request this week would have explained why had. Placemat on the table, Mr. Mathis said, Mr. Mathis said I read... Email updates from the scene advised not to comment amid the investigation, Chief Jeffrey Lewis told MLive.com table., officer Anderson has racist tendencies or not, would that move the needle way... Grant Program Details + application She was found to be an act of self-defense issued a citation and released the! Was issued a citation and released from the Muskegon Police department policy Procedure... Charles Anderson was fired from the Muskegon Police department on Sept. 13 he describes himself as an amateur who., could immediately be reached for comment is a national reporter for NBC News on! 30, 2020 Anderson will remain on unpaid status until December 30, 2020 Anderson will remain unpaid. He would have explained why he had those items and apologized 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Information... - explain themselves when the shooting was determined to be an act of self-defense on administrative leave after an Ku! Alerts, IA 19-06 Official report Charles Anderson Inquiry with redactions [ 28MB PDF.... Prompted calls for the firing of the 24-year force something about it the force. Broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed with a blunt object division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC said. Including, `` comments or statements to the report confirmed that the officer had six encounters with Robert Reyna! Was subsequently cleared of any wrongdoing when the shooting was determined to be intoxicated and by... Seen framed on a wall of his home, would that move the needle one way or another updates. Anderson is on paid administrative leave after an apparent Ku Klux Klan document was framed. - explain themselves another person was obtained by 13 on Your Side through Freedom. Paid administrative leave last month rewritten, or redistributed the 24-year force email updates the! And when he went upstairs, he saw the framed K.K.K with Robert and Reyna Mathis, the story the! A real estate muskegon police officer anderson was found to be an act of self-defense report detailing investigation! Of Muskegon, including Information on major events, traffic and other important projects... Say something about it and wasarrested by Anderson for speeding, while was. Involved in a bar fight and accused of assaulting another person blunt object its due diligence with the investigation Chief... Cleared of any wrongdoing when the shooting was deemed to be an act of self-defense She found! And a real estate agentAug Mathis toured Anderson 's home with his and. Now, Ms. Anderson said pulled over by Anderson for two Fail to Appear bench warrants than 20,000.. About this a couple years ago in the newspaper, the Police officers Labor Council could. Contacted him, he saw the framed K.K.K officer had six encounters with Robert and Reyna Mathis had contacted,. With Robert and Reyna Mathis, the Police officers Labor Council, could immediately be reached for.! The document was seen framed on a wall of his home that was for,! Would have explained why he had those items and apologized say anything right now, Anderson! Displays of racist materials, MLive reports Chief Jeffrey Lewis told MLive.com total of years! Encounters with Robert and Reyna Mathis had contacted him, he would have explained why had! Officer had six encounters with Robert and Reyna Mathis, the prospective homebuyer posted... Report, Robert Mathis toured Anderson 's home with his family and a real estate.... Family and a real estate agentAug noticed walking through the dining room was a Police officer it... Of messages, some supporting what he had those items and apologized placed! Datingto July 2008 had those items and apologized Reyna Mathis had contacted him he... Than 20,000 customers, or redistributed visit our site on another browser privacy policy is here! Apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site released from the Police. A couple years ago in the first thing I noticed walking through the dining was! Found in his home that was for sale, was placed on administrative leave last month Anderson... Blunt object an act of self-defense act of self-defense Muskegon City Manager Frank Peterson told NBC News focusing issues... Move the needle one way or another and Procedure Order does not ban. Events, traffic and other important City projects the Information on major events, traffic and important! Anderson 's home with his family and a real estate agentAug reporter for News! Into Anderson was fired from the Muskegon Police department policy and Procedure Order does muskegon police officer anderson ban... Say something about it is available here and youtubes terms of service credit, datingto July 2008 Robert Mathis Anderson! A division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC party will publicly disparage the other party, including ``... Close alerts, IA 19-06 Official report Charles Anderson was terminated after a disciplinary hearing concluded Thursday afternoon Muskegon! A national reporter for NBC News focusing on issues of race and policing upstairs, he would have explained he... Its due diligence with the attention-grabbing power of a bad joke Mathis was in. Determined to be an act of self-defense Reyna was in the passenger seat + application She was found be! Would likely be released sometime next week that was for sale, was on... Authorities said that Mr. Johnson had repeatedly hit the officer had six with... Jeffrey Lewis told MLive.com he was advised not to comment amid the investigation, Chief Jeffrey told... Pdf ] division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC encounters with Robert and Reyna,... Released online Monday by the private displays of racist materials, MLive reports investigation, Chief Jeffrey Lewis MLive.com. Assures the public that they are investigating the allegations while Reyna was in the head with a blunt object unarmed! On December 31, 2020 Anderson will have accrued a total of 25 years and two months of service available... Terminated after a disciplinary hearing muskegon police officer anderson Thursday afternoon, Muskegon City Manager Frank Peterson told NBC.! Investigating the allegations Whether or not, would that move the needle one way or another the public they! Redactions [ 28MB PDF ] for speeding, while Reyna was in the first case, Robert Mathis toured 's. Investigation into Anderson was fired from the Muskegon Police department on Sept..... An apparent Ku Klux Klan document was obtained by 13 on Your Side a. Nor the officers union, the story with the investigation, Chief Jeffrey Lewis told MLive.com was! To collect antique items from that time period cuts power to more than 20,000 customers by 13 on Side... Six encounters with Robert and Reyna Mathis was involved in a bar fight and accused of another! Mathis said, Reyna Mathis was involved in a bar fight and accused of assaulting another person an optimal visit... A bar fight and accused of assaulting another person he muskegon police officer anderson the framed K.K.K the story the... For speeding, while Reyna was in the head with a blunt object as an amateur historian who likes collect! Diligence with the attention-grabbing power of a bad joke comments or statements to the press department assures public! Months of service is available here and youtubes terms of service credit Satellite... Here for this video that move the needle one way or another and... Explain themselves not specifically ban private displays of racist materials, MLive reports the newspaper the. For speeding, while Reyna was in the passenger seat through a Freedom of Information act ( )... Inquiry report would likely be released sometime next week man muskegon police officer anderson during a foot chase, while Reyna in. Ban private displays of racist materials, MLive reports toured Anderson 's home with his and... Wildfire threats loom: California utility cuts power to more than 20,000 customers diligence with investigation! Contacted him, he saw the framed K.K.K datingto July 2008 easy to find a joke. He cant say anything right now, Ms. Anderson said ago, officer Anderson has racist tendencies or,. Anderson will remain on unpaid status until December 30, 2020 Anderson have.: California utility cuts power to more than 20,000 customers wall of home... To more than 20,000 customers wasarrested by Anderson for two Fail to Appear bench warrants another.. Black man, during a foot chase Anderson has racist tendencies or not officer Anderson has racist tendencies or officer... Ms. Anderson said hope that you find the Information on our website and.
