Oversight commission urges Ann Arbor to fund police records system; chair invites city to symposium

Chair Carter, chair of the Independent Community Police Oversight Commission, told the Ann Arbor City Council on May 4 that she had filed copies of the commission’s 2025 report with the city clerk and urged the council to approve the city administrator’s request for funds for a police records system management project.

"We think it's important," Chair Carter said, describing how misinformation and slow or erroneous records can exacerbate complaints. She said the commission "approved our resolution requesting that the city appropriate those funds." Carter also thanked the Ann Arbor Communications Office and Kimberly Morton for assistance preparing the report and noted that the commission still has vacancies and is encouraging applicants.

Carter praised what she described as improvements in the relationship between the community and the Ann Arbor Police Department and singled out Chief Andre Anderson for recent leadership changes. "I believe Chief Anderson has made significant changes for good in the Ann Arbor Police Department," she said, adding that strong civilian oversight empowers officers and builds community confidence.

Carter closed by inviting council and the public to the commission’s second annual social justice symposium on May 19 at New Hope Baptist Church on Chapin Street, which will include a presentation by Chief Anderson about his experiences responding to civil unrest.

The council did not take formal action on the funding request during the remarks; Chair Carter’s comments were delivered as a commission communication and as an informational filing with the clerk. Any appropriation would require a separate administrative request and subsequent council action.