Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Prosecutors:US Army soldier planned to kill 'antifa' activists, bomb a major news network. The Ku Klux Klan document Robert Mathis says was on display at Muskegon Police Officer Charles Anderson's house. The former police officer did not remove the item from the wall because he forgot it was in his antique collection room. They also had seen Andersons Muskegon Police uniform and realized a police officer owned the home, the couple said. It also states officers have a duty to avoid, both on and off duty, conduct that reflects unfavorably on the department, including any behavior that brings the department disrepute, discredits the individual as a member of the department, or impairs the operation, effectiveness or efficiency of the department and/or its members.. Mr. Mathis said he reached out to Officer Anderson and Chief Lewis but never heard from them. Neither Anderson nor the officers union, the Police Officers Labor Council, could immediately be reached for comment. 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. Officer. MUSKEGON, MI - Former Muskegon police officer Charles Anderson vehemently denied being a racist and told police investigators that the Ku Klux Klan application found in his home was an. Kayla Renie/Muskegon Chronicle, via Associated Press. 1117, Patrick Vandommelen The Muskegon Police Department, Officer Anderson and the Police Officers Association of Michigan did not immediately respond to calls and emails seeking comment on Friday. The document was obtained by 13 On Your Side through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request this week. There was another incident involving the Mathises themselves, who said they didnt realize their run-in was with Anderson, in which Reyna Mathis initially was charged with assaulting Anderson. Muskegon City Manager Frank Peterson and the city attorney's officereleased a 421-page reporton the investigation of Charles Anderson, as well as his history as a policeofficer before he was fired. Mathis, 52, a U.S. Army veteran, has said he felt morally obligated to report what he had witnessed. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. A report detailing the investigation into Anderson was released online Monday by the. On December 31, 2020 Anderson will have accrued a total of 25 years and two months of service credit. Records from the Michigan Department of Corrections show Robertson was arrested in Muskegon County in 2006 and served 12 years in prison. Charles Anderson was fired from the Muskegon Police Department on September 12 following an investigation after potential homebuyers said they saw a framed KKK application and Confederate. Email news@13onyourside.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter. The Mathises said they eventually decided to post on Facebook what they had seen out of concern that Black citizens could run into trouble with Anderson if they encountered him on the streets. Now, the. He cant say anything right now, Ms. Anderson said. Ext. Officer Charles Anderson was terminated after a disciplinary hearing concluded Thursday afternoon, Muskegon City Manager Frank Peterson told NBC News. Janelle Griffith is a national reporter for NBC News focusing on issues of race and policing. Charles Anderson was terminated after a Thursday morning hearing. . The City of Muskegon released a more than 400-page report on Monday that includes transcripts of interviews with Anderson and the man who posted images on social media that spurred the investigation, Robert Mathis. Cop fired for KKK, Confederate flag memorabilia signs separation agreement. . They both exited the vehicle and refused the officer's orders. Last month, Anderson was outed when a couple, the Mathises, toured his home that was for sale. Muskegon Police Officer Charles Anderson's employment was terminated during a disciplinary hearing that wrapped up at approximately 3 p.m., Muskegon City Manager Frank Peterson told MLive. Acomplaint in 2010 alleged that he acted "rudely and disrespectfully" when he arrestedtwo people and usedpepper spray. I said I cannot in good conscience bring him back here and put him on the streets of this town, Lewis told Calhoun. Neither Anderson nor the officers union, the Police Officers Labor Council, could immediately be reached for comment Monday. Through the professional practice of law enforcement and in partnership with our citizenry, we will create and maintain a safe and secure community; protecting life and property, reducing crime, responding with compassion and establishing a high level of public trust that together improves the quality of life in our community. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. The agreement also means a wrongful termination grievance Anderson and the Police Officers Labor Council filed against the city following the firing will be withdrawn. I wanted to shield her from this.. However, it does outline that officers should not conduct themselves in a way that would compromise public trust. He was subsequently cleared of any wrongdoing when the shooting was deemed to be an act of self-defense. The radio program explores other complaints against Anderson, including one in which he ended up pepper-spraying elderly people at a backyard birthday party when he responded to a noise complaint. This dental device was sold to fix patients' jaws. After he posted the picture of the application and the messages poured in, he said, he was trying to explain all of this to my 12-year-old daughter., Its a bad apple, not all law enforcement, Mr. Mathis said. ", Muskegon County Prosecutor D.J. If you are wondering how the racist material was found in his home, so did we. The report also details a handful of encounters between Reyna and Robert Mathis and Anderson, including a 2008 incident in which he pulled them over for speeding. Officer Charles Anderson of the Muskegon Police Department gives his testimony at the Muskegon County Hall of Justice, on March 20, 2019. Rob Mathis posted this photo of a framed Ku Klux Klan application, which he said he had seen hanging in the house of Officer Charles Anderson, on Facebook last month. Lawsuits claim it wrecked their teeth. Ten years ago, Officer Anderson shot and killed Julius Johnson, an unarmed black man, during a foot chase. Kayla Renie / Muskegon Chronicle via AP Link copied They said friends of their 12-year-old daughter told her their parents wouldnt let them talk to her. Muskegon, MI Muskegon police officer Charles Anderson has been placed on paid vacation and not fired after racist KKK memorabilia was discovered in his home. However, he did interview Andersons wife, Rachel, about their interest in collecting historic and vintage items. Officer Charles Anderson of the Muskegon Police Department gives his testimony at the Muskegon County Hall of Justice, on March 20, 2019. Effective December 31, 2020, Anderson's employment with the city will end by way of his retirement. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Long-lost ship found in Lake Huron, confirming tragic story, Ottawa County Board passes motion revising resolution that hired administrative health officer in December, 13 On Your Side Forecast: Minor Wintry Mix This Morning, Consumers Energy restores nearly 90% of state's power, Report: Fired Muskegon officer says he's an antique collector, Residents say Muskegon officer with KKK document has racist history, Threat made against man who found KKK document in Muskegon officer's home, Muskegon NAACP calls for review of officer's arrests and traffic stops. "I feel as though we are being punished because of something we saw in a home that we never asked to see.". D.J. Because he was a police officer, it was my moral obligation to say something about it.. She said she only realized after the report was released Monday that the officer she was accused of assaulting was Anderson. Anderson was fired from the department on Sept. 12, following a lengthy investigation into the accusation. Last month, Anderson was outed when a couple, the Mathises, toured his home that was for sale. In addition, Lewis said he reviewed the case of Andersons fatal shooting of Julius Johnson, an unarmed Black man, who investigators determined was getting the best of Anderson in a physical fight after fleeing from a traffic stop. Full credit: Kayla Renie/Muskegon Chronicle/AP. 1116, Address:1990 E. Apple AveMuskegon, MI 49442, Hours:Monday Thursday: 7:30 am 6:00 pmclosed for lunch from 1:00 to 1:30Fridays by appointment only, 2022 All Rights Reserved, Charter Township of Muskegon, Website Designed by Shumaker Technology group. Have a news tip? Hilson had previously told MLive that the results of the police department investigation will play a role in determining whether the prosecutors office will reopen the 2009 case. This is, this is, oh, Im getting out of here,' " he said. Muskegon Police Officer Charles Anderson describes his struggle with Julius Allen-Ray Johnson prior to fatally shooting him on Sept. 23, 2009. Follow Micah Walker on Twitter:@Micah_walker701. It also said officers shall "perform all duties impartially, without favor or affection or ill will and without regard to status, sex, race, religion, political belief or aspiration," according to MLive.com. Nothing was revealed to us that shocked us, Chief Lewis said of the investigation. He bought the application about six years ago in Indiana. Mathis, who is black, said he became displeased when he saw the Confederate flags, and the KKK application was a deal-breaker for making an offer on the house. Officer Charles Anderson testifies in Muskegon, Michigan, March 20, 2019. According to the findings of an investigation from the county's prosecutor, Johnson beat Anderson in. Tim.Thielbar@mcd911.net After seeing the framed KKK document, Knights of the Ku Klux Klan Application for Citizenship, Army veteran and prospective homebuyer Rob Mathis took to Facebook to share what he saw. Rachel Anderson said she was the one who found the KKK application in an antique shop and thought it was so cool and would look good in their house. "We would not take back what weve done no matter how weve been treated or portrayed," Reyna Mathis said. Charles Anderson was fired from the Muskegon Police Department on September 12 following an investigation after potential homebuyers said they saw a . "Whether or not officer Anderson has racist tendencies or not, would that move the needle one way or another? August 12, 2019 / 10:44 AM In his Facebook post, Mathis said he also saw Confederate flags throughout the home. His post went viral. Muskegon Police Officer Charles Anderson was placed on paid administrative leave after a house hunter who was viewing the officer's home said he saw a framed Ku Klux Klan application and. During Anderson's 22-year career as a police officer, he had two complaints made against him. Reyna Mathis was sentenced to 60 days in jail for assaulting an officer, the report states, which she disputes. He describes himself as an amateur historian who likes to collect antique items from that time period. MUSKEGON, Mich. A white Muskegon police officer who displayed Ku Klux Klan memorabilia inside his home, which was up for sale, will retire with benefits from the department at the end of the year. Anderson served on the Muskegon police force since 1997. In2016, a complaint stated that the officer did not give back a driver's license to an arrestee and that he did not secure a vehicle after the arrest. The way things are now, everybody is offended over something, and who knows what that might be? she said. The This American Life programs include interviews with the couple, Rob and Reyna Mathis; Muskegon City Manager Frank Peterson; Muskegon Police Chief Jeffrey Lewis; and Andersons wife, Rachel Anderson. I need a completed internal investigation.". I need a completed internal investigation.. "The emotional health and safety of this community is what is most important to me," Lewis said Friday, adding that the city and county "are very serious about this." The shooting was determined to be an act of self-defense. Sign up for email updates from the City of Muskegon, including information on major events, traffic and other important city projects. 1:00 A white Muskegon police officer created a controversy within the city last month after a black man discovered Ku Klux Klan memorabilia inside his home, which was up for sale. A second citizen complaint from 2016 involved a DUI arrest in which Anderson did not secure a vehicle after the arrest and did not return a person's driver's license, according to the report. Police officers will, therefore, avoid any conduct that might compromise integrity and thus undercut the public confidence in the officer or this law or this law enforcement agency, it says. The county prosecutor at the time determined that Mr. Anderson had shot in self-defense and cleared him of any wrongdoing. Authorities in Michigan may review a white police officer's fatal shooting of a black man in 2009 after an alleged Ku Klux Klan document was seen on display at the officer's house. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). Officer Charles Anderson. Download the 13 ON YOUR SIDE app now. Hilson told the outlet in Aug. I guess I cant answer that question. A white Michigan police officer fired after a framed Ku Klux Klan application and Confederate flags were found in his home, denied being a racist in an inquiry into the items and said he collected antiques and memorabilia linked to The Dukes of Hazzard television series. Muskegon, MI - The veteran Muskegon police officer who was fired after a complaint that he had a vintage Ku Klux Klan (KKK) application hanging in his house had previous run-ins with his accusers. Anderson said he feared for his life, according to the findings of an investigation report created by then-Muskegon County Prosecutor Tony Tague. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Rob and Reyna Mathis, who live in Muskegon Township, said they felt a range of emotions, including anger, sadness and shame, after they saw the Ku Klux Klan document inside the house in Holton Township, about 20 miles northeast of Muskegon. He posted a picture on Facebook of a framed KKK application he found. Muskegon Police Officer Charles Anderson was placed on paid administrative leave after a house hunter who was viewing the officer's home said he saw a framed Ku Klux Klan application and multiple Confederate flags. It is essential that all members, in the execution of their duties, act not for themselves but for the good of the public.