MDCR Issues Statement on Claimants' Withdrawal of Complaints Against the Grand Rapids Police Department

LANSING, MI - John E. Johnson, Jr., Executive Director of the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, has issued the following statement on claimants' withdrawal of four complaints of discrimination against the City of Grand Rapids/Grand Rapids Police Department.

"There are any number of reasons a claimant may decide to withdraw a complaint. We aren't in the business of second guessing a family's decision about such personal and painful experiences. In each of the four cases against the Grand Rapids Police Department, our investigations found that discrimination did take place and we brought these cases to charge. Following a charge, it is our obligation to continue to work toward a resolution that brings some measure of justice to the claimant. The claimant's decision to withdraw these complaints has no impact on our ongoing investigation of other complaints against the GRPD. If we find evidence of discrimination and the parties cannot come to a resolution, we will not hesitate to bring the complaint to charge."

MDCR is currently investigating 22 additional complaints of discrimination against the City of Grand Rapids/Grand Rapids Police Department.

The Michigan Department of Civil Rights is charged with investigating and resolving discrimination complaints and works to prevent discrimination through educational programs that promote voluntary compliance with civil rights laws. The Department also provides information and services to businesses on diversity initiatives and equal employment law. For more information on the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, go to www.michigan.gov/mdcr.

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