KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – The city of Kalamazoo will reject a federal grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to allow the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety to hire more officers because it contained provisions tacked on by the Trump administration they did not like.
Specifically, it would have required KPS to provide information on the legal status of residents, eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion as a consideration and require the department to comply with presidential memorandums.
Protestors held a rally at Kalamazoo City Hall before the meeting opposing it, and City Manager Malcolm Hankins removed it from the agenda before it came up for a vote.
Members of the clergy, civil rights groups and residents spoke for an hour and 40 minutes supporting the decision to reject it.
They asked the commission to do the same with any federal money with similar strings attached.
Commissioners like Jeanne Hess thanked the community for their support on the issue.
Commissioners Chris Praedel and Jae Slaby added this.
It was the second time the item had been removed from the agenda at the request of commissioners.
The Community Oriented Policing grant for $1.25 million would have provided funding for 10 additional officers for three years.
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