Oversight for police department is overdue

As the cliché goes: Better late than never.
What we’re talking about is the establishment of an oversight commission for the city’s police department.
It’s an idea that’s been kicked around for over 10 years, and for some reason it never went further than discussions about the proposal by the city council.
Last week, the council finally went one step further than just talking about the concept to calling for a council sub-committee to explore the issue more.
Hey, forming a sub-committee is not much progress, but at least it’s a step – albeit a baby step – toward having a board of civilians taking some form of oversight of the department.
Hamtramck’s police department doesn’t have the best history, but it’s certainly come a long way in recent years. Having civilian oversight is much needed to make sure the department and its officers are held to the highest standards of professionalism.
Again, we don’t mean to imply that the department is out of control, or needs massive reform.
But having separate eyes outside of government officials is always a good thing. After all, it is our tax dollars that pay for the department, and residents have a right to at least have a voice in department policies and conduct.
The challenge, though, will be to make sure the oversight board does not micro-manage the department.
Posted Dec. 5, 2025