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Commission approves hiring retired BCPD officer as accreditation manager; public raises conflict and transparency concerns
Summary
The commission authorized the interim city manager to employ a retired Battle Creek Police Department (BCPD) officer as a part-time temporary accreditation manager under municipal code 2-96.09(c); members of the public urged an independent reviewer and questioned ties to the department.
The Battle Creek City Commission authorized the interim city manager to hire a retired Battle Creek Police Department officer on a part-time, temporary basis to serve as the department’s accreditation manager under the city’s employment provision 2‑96.09(c).
Madam Clerk read resolution 72, which cites city code section 2‑96.09(c): “no person shall be employed by the city or paid with city funds who has retired under the provisions of the policeman and fireman retirement system,” but allows exceptions with commission approval when the city’s interest would be served. The resolution authorizes the interim city manager to employ a BCPD retiree for accreditation duties on a part-time temporary basis. The commission moved, supported and approved resolution 72 on the record.
During the public-comment period, Autumn Smith, a Battle Creek resident, urged the commission to outsource accreditation work to an independent third party and asked how the city would avoid conflicts of interest if the accreditation manager had ties to the department. Smith asked, “Would it be reasonable to put a fox in charge of the hen house?” and named two potential candidates she said were being considered: “Todd Elliott or Brad Wise.” She also asked what training either candidate has and which budget would pay for the position.
Commissioner Acause, who said she had recently completed the Citizens Police Academy, defended the position as necessary, saying the accreditation manager’s immediate responsibility is to compile files so that external accreditors from state or federal agencies can review them. Acause told commissioners the role is largely preparatory—assembling documentation and ensuring “all the boxes are checked.”
The resolution does not state the salary, duration beyond “part time temporary,” or the specific candidate; the meeting record shows the commission authorized the exception in principle and the interim city manager was empowered to proceed under the code provision.
The clerk announced resolution 72 “has been approved.”
