Grand Rapids residents call for police reforms, retrial and expanded civilian oversight after mistrial in Patrick Lioya case

Dozens of residents and community advocates addressed the Grand Rapids City Commission on policing and public safety after a recent mistrial in the shooting death of Patrick Lioya, urging a retrial of the officer involved and broad reforms to department policy and oversight.

Speakers from across the city described ongoing harm they say stems from Grand Rapids Police Department (GRPD) policies and training and asked the commission to press for changes now rather than wait for additional court outcomes. Several asked the Kent County prosecutor or Michigan attorney general to refile charges; others asked the commission to expand local oversight mechanisms.

Why it matters: community members and some commissioners said the mistrial highlighted gaps between stated policy and practice at GRPD and renewed calls for civilian oversight, a use-of-force audit and policy amendments designed to reduce deadly encounters.

Community members detailed multiple incidents they say demonstrate excessive force or poor coordination by police. Ren Burns, Second Ward resident and community organizer, described an encounter outside the courthouse in which she said…