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Residents and a whistleblower’s family call for independent probe after alleged police‑department misconduct
Summary
Speakers at general public comment alleged that a police officer shared extensive evidence with the FBI alleging fraud, evidence destruction and other misconduct in the Battle Creek Police Department and asked the commission to demand an independent investigation; the commission did not take immediate formal action on the request during the meeting.
At the June 2 Battle Creek City Commission meeting, several public commenters urged the commission to demand an independent investigation after a whistleblower, according to speakers, provided about half a terabyte of material to the FBI alleging misconduct within the Battle Creek Police Department.
Autumn Smith, who said she accompanied the whistleblower’s family, read excerpts of a letter and said the officer reported providing the FBI “approximately half a terabyte of information related to our department's lack of integrity,” including “reports, evidence destructions, audio conversations, fraud, and much, much more.” Smith told the commission the family felt demeaned during a meeting with Chief Bagley and asked the commission to initiate an independent, fair and transparent review.
Joan Marshall, who identified herself as the officer’s mother, said she personally read the letter to Chief Bagley and that the contents matched the excerpts Smith had read. She asked commissioners to focus on the allegations, not personalities, and to ensure the matter is reviewed independently.
Commissioners did not announce an immediate independent investigation during the meeting. Commissioners later addressed a range of other agenda items and public comments; the transcript records calls for the commission to take the allegations seriously and for staff to respond, but no formal direction or vote on an independent probe was recorded during the session.
Next steps suggested by public speakers: several members of the public asked the commission to request an independent investigation and to provide transparent, independent review of the allegations; commissioners may be expected to respond in a future meeting or through staff follow‑up.
