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Resident alleges police misinformation, cites whistleblower and FBI probe; announces run for commission
Summary
During public comment July 7, Autumn Smith said a Battle Creek police whistleblower told her Chief Shannon Bagley provided inaccurate information about a juvenile stop and that an FBI investigation involving witness‑tampering statutes is active; she also announced a bid for City Commission. Citizens called for transparency and an independent oversight board; commissioners urged cooperation with any investigation.
At the July 7 meeting of the Battle Creek City Commission, multiple public commenters raised concerns about police conduct and transparency and asked the commission to welcome independent review.
Autumn Smith told the commission that a Battle Creek Police Department whistleblower who spoke to her group told her "Chief Shannon Bagley has been providing inaccurate information to both the commission and the public and has been openly lying" regarding a Washington Heights juvenile stop. Smith said the whistleblower "further publicly confirmed that there is an active FBI investigation involving both the Battle Creek" police and "the federal witness tampering statute." She added she would run for Battle Creek City Commission at large and said she would work "to ensure openness, integrity, and accountability in local government."
Joe Harris, a resident, urged the commission to welcome and cooperate with any FBI inquiry: "If an investigation isn't taking place, the appropriate response is simple. You all welcome that investigation. Be fully transparent. Cooperate completely." Harris also handed commissioners a proposed budget resolution and argued that items which legally require a vote should not be placed into a proposed budget before that vote occurs, citing a recent water readiness fee as an example.
Other commenters called for oversight and community protections. Joe Harris said the incident demonstrates the need for a community oversight board with authority to review serious police cases. Steve Koch raised privacy concerns about the Flock automated license‑plate surveillance system, saying it "monitors every vehicle, every license plate, every scratch on your vehicle, including...pictures of your face going down the road." He framed the tool as intrusive and asked the commission to consider the privacy implications.
Commissioner Patrick O'Donnell acknowledged residents' concerns, recognized a retiring firefighter, and noted that Eagle Lake issues fall under Kalamazoo County jurisdiction. Commissioner Lacoste urged transparency, saying if any investigation exists the city should "remain transparent and welcome any investigation." The meeting record contains claims and requests for oversight but no formal investigation report or departmental response was presented at the meeting.
What the record shows: these are claims made during public comment and, where noted, are unverified in the commission meeting record. The commission agreed publicly to be transparent and to cooperate with any external inquiry; no formal findings or departmental rebuttals were given during the meeting.
Next steps: commissioners and staff did not announce formal actions at the meeting to investigate the claims; any official internal or external investigations, findings, or responses were not recorded during this session.
