The city and Anderson agree neither party will publicly disparage the other party, including, "comments or statements to the press. 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 first thing I noticed walking through the dining room was a Confederate flag placemat on the table, Mr. Mathis said. According to the findings of an investigation from the county's prosecutor, Johnson beat Anderson in. 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. 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. 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. She was found to be intoxicated and wasarrested by Anderson for two Fail to Appear bench warrants. Lawsuits claim it wrecked their teeth. 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. In2016, a complaint stated that the officer did not give back a driver's license to an arrestee and that he did not secure a vehicle after the arrest. Ext. Subscribe to our YouTube channel. Last August Rob Mathis, who is black, toured Anderson's home in Holton with his wife Reyna and a Realtor. 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. All Rights Reserved. Friday, Saturday, Sunday: Closed. Anderson said he feared for his life, according to the findings of an investigation report created by then-Muskegon County Prosecutor Tony Tague. It is essential that all members, in the execution of their duties, act not for themselves but for the good of the public. Hilson said the investigation's results will drive reconsideration of the 2009 case, according to MLive.com. The separation agreement states Anderson will remain on unpaid status until December 30, 2020. Officer Charles Anderson of the Muskegon Police Department gives his testimony at the Muskegon County Hall of Justice, on March 20, 2019. Nothing was revealed to us that shocked us, Chief Lewis said of the investigation. That was the owner of the house, Officer Charles Anderson, who, at the time, was a 21-year veteran of the Muskegon Police Department. 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. 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.. 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. Application Was Found in His Home, https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/13/us/officer-charles-anderson-ku-klux-klan.html. The Associated Press contributed to this report. He was subsequently cleared of any wrongdoing when the shooting was deemed to be an act of self-defense. 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. 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. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. I dont know. Officer Charles Anderson. The citizen complaints were investigated by the department and Anderson was exonerated in both cases, the report states. Last month, Anderson was outed when a couple, the Mathises, toured his home that was for sale. Charles Anderson was terminated after a Thursday morning hearing. IE 11 is not supported. "We would not take back what weve done no matter how weve been treated or portrayed," Reyna Mathis said. However, it does outline that officers should not conduct themselves in a way that would compromise public trust. 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. Follow Micah Walker on Twitter:@Micah_walker701. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. There was another incident involving the Mathises themselves, who said they didnt realize their run-in was with Anderson, in which Reyna Mathis initially was charged with assaulting Anderson. 1119 Police Clerk Deasha Hill Deasha.Hill@mcd911.net Ext. Officer Andersons wife, Rachael Anderson, told WOOD-TV, a local television station, that her husband was not a Klan member. Mathis posted pictures of what he saw on Facebook and discovered the home belonged to Muskegon police officer Charles "Chuck" Anderson. 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 Reyna Mathis, the realtor and Anderson's colleagues were also interviewed for the report. The Mathises discuss the backlash they received, including receiving threats and having racial slurs hurled at them. Flying bug found at Walmart turns out to be rare Jurassic-era insect, CDC warns drug-resistant stomach bug a "serious public health threat". Mathis, who is black, said he became displeased when he saw the Confederate flags, and the KKK application was a deal-breaker for making an offer on the house. He also said that the police had warned him about a death threat. Johnson had scuffled with Anderson, who was beaten in the head. The way things are now, everybody is offended over something, and who knows what that might be? she said. The comments on that post exploded, Calhoun said, leading to the citys decision to place Anderson on leave and conduct the investigation. 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. [Go here for more about police violence and unrest]. Muskegon Police Officer Charles Anderson will retire with full benefits at the end of 2020, according to a separation agreement with the city. Peterson said the entire inquiry report would likely be released sometime next week. 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. 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. Officer Charles Anderson of the Muskegon Police Department gives his testimony at the Muskegon County Hall of Justice, on March 20, 2019. "I don't know. Charles Anderson was fired from the Muskegon Police Department on Sept. 13. 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. Ten years ago, Officer Anderson shot and killed Julius Johnson, an unarmed black man, during a foot chase. 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. Mathis said he had received death threats after uploading the images to Facebook. . All Rights Reserved. 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. 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. 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.". "I told my son, 'let's go, we're getting out of here. Hilson had previously told MLive that the results of the police department investigation will play a role in determining whether the prosecutors office will reopen the 2009 case. Officer Charles Anderson of the Muskegon Police Department gives his testimony at the Muskegon County Hall of Justice, on March 20, 2019. All parties agree not to file suit, submit charge, claim, or complaint to any agency, court, or judicial forum. Reyna Mathis was sentenced to 60 days in jail for assaulting an officer, the report states, which she disputes. He said if Robert and Reyna Mathis had contacted him, he would have explained why he had those items and apologized. Rob Mathis posted a picture of the framed KKK application on Facebook, at the time knowing the home belonged to a Muskegon Police officer. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Monday Thursday: 8:00am 5:30pm They shall respect and protect the rights of individuals and perform their services with honesty, zeal, courage, discretion, integrity, dedication and sound judgment. 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. The authorities said that Mr. Johnson had repeatedly hit the officer in the head with a blunt object. 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. 1117 In the first case, Robert was pulled over by Anderson for speeding, while Reyna was in the passenger seat. Ext. "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." 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. / CBS/AP. Mathis was disturbed not only by the flag but also because Anderson was a police officer. DETROIT A Michigan police officer was embroiled in controversy last month after a man discovered Ku Klux Klan memorabilia inside his home,which was up for sale. 2019 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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) 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. He bought the application about six years ago in Indiana. 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. 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. August 12, 2019 / 10:44 AM Anderson "loves everything" about the show and has been to the fan convention, Duke Fest, several times. The agreement also means a wrongful termination grievance Anderson and the Police Officers Labor Council filed against the city following the firing will be withdrawn. 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. 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. His charges included resisting an officer and fleeing. 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. "He can't say anything right now. The Muskegon Police Department Policy and Procedure Order states that officers' decorum and behavior should not "undercut public trust" in the department. 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. 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. The inquiry into Anderson unearthed new complaints made against him that Lewis said will be investigated, according to the report. 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 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. 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. ARPA Community Grant Program Details + Application The shooting was determined to be an act of self-defense. He cant say anything right now, Ms. Anderson said. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. application hanging on the wall. A report detailing the investigation into Anderson was released online Monday by the. He posted a picture on Facebook of a framed KKK application he found. It was basically telling me, whites only to purchase his house. 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. When Calhoun pressed her on how that might be offensive and scary to some people, Rachel Anderson said that didnt change her opinion. 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. According to WZZM-TV, the report gave Peterson enough reason to fire Anderson this month. 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. Mathis is a U.S. Army veteran who was bornin Detroit. She said she only realized after the report was released Monday that the officer she was accused of assaulting was Anderson. The Muskegon Police Department Policy and Procedure Order does not specifically ban private displays of racist materials, MLive reports. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Close alerts, IA 19-06 Official Report Charles Anderson Inquiry with redactions [28MB PDF]. Anderson had worked at the Muskegon Police Department for 20 years prior to being terminated. Rachel Anderson said she was the one who found the KKK application in an antique shop and thought it was so cool and would look good in their house. RELATED: The. Authorities in Michigan may review a white police officer's fatal shooting of a black man in 2009 after an alleged Ku Klux Klan document was seen on display at the officer's house. Prosecutors:US Army soldier planned to kill 'antifa' activists, bomb a major news network. 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 Police Officer Charles Anderson's employment was terminated during a disciplinary hearing that wrapped up at approximately 3 p.m., Muskegon City Manager Frank Peterson told MLive. And when he went upstairs, he saw the framed K.K.K. MUSKEGON, Mich. (WOOD) The Muskegon police officer who had Ku Klux Klan memorabilia in his home has lost his job. I guess I can't answer that question," Hilson told the newspaper. Anderson was fired from the department on Sept. 12, following a lengthy investigation into the accusation. During Anderson's 22-year career as a police officer, he had two complaints made against him. They both exited the vehicle and refused the officer's orders. Last month, Anderson was outed when a couple, the Mathises, toured his home that was for sale. He will not be paid, and has not been, since. Mathis, 52, a U.S. Army veteran, has said he felt morally obligated to report what he had witnessed. 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. Friday, Saturday, Sunday: Closed. However, he did interview Andersons wife, Rachel, about their interest in collecting historic and vintage items. In his Facebook post, Mathis said he also saw Confederate flags throughout the home. Anderson was placed on leave pending an investigation that began Aug. 8. Neither Anderson nor the officers union, the Police Officers Labor Council, could immediately be reached for comment. 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