Hamtramck council forms subcommittee for police oversight after residents allege unauthorized investigations

Residents urged the Hamtramck City Council on Nov. 25 to investigate what they described as unauthorized and potentially illegal conduct by the police department, and the council responded by forming a subcommittee to draft terms for a police oversight ordinance.

Nurul Islam, speaking in the first public comment period, said “members of the Hamtramck Police have allegedly been involved in unauthorized and illegal investigations targeting their own residents,” and requested “a thorough and independent investigation” and a written response outlining next steps. Ahmed Shah also described threats and privacy violations, asking the city and police to “open the files” and provide recordings.

Those allegations framed the council’s discussion of a new police oversight committee. Multiple council members said they supported using models from peer cities and involving nonprofit assistance. One councilmember referenced Ann Arbor’s oversight board as a template and thanked community members who pushed for oversight. The council voted to create a subcommittee to draft an ordinance, with the mayor proposing that two members be appointed by the mayor and a third by the council; Councilman Hassan was named as a recommended member during the meeting.

City attorney and staff commented on investigative jurisdiction and conflicts of interest. In the council’s remarks, legal counsel suggested that state police could be the appropriate investigator in cases that involve alleged investigations of council candidates, and staff said they would work with counsel to draft terms. Councilmembers emphasized the goal of improving police–community relations and communication while noting oversight should not be read as presuming departmental wrongdoing.

Next steps: the subcommittee will draft ordinance terms, seek public input via a hearing and return the proposed ordinance for council consideration at a future meeting.