Anderson said the reason for the KKK application is related to his passion for U.S. history from the late 1800s to the 1960s. He describes himself as an amateur historian who likes to collect antique items from that time period. "I feel as though we are being punished because of something we saw in a home that we never asked to see.". Officer Charles Anderson of the Muskegon Police Department gives his testimony at the Muskegon County Hall of Justice on March 20, 2019. 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. 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. The stationreported that since posting the KKK application on Facebook, Robert and Reyna Mathis have receiveddeath threats. 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. Close alerts. Effective December 31, 2020, Anderson's employment with the city will end by way of his retirement. / CBS/AP. A report by then-Muskegon County Prosecutor Tony Tague found that Julius Johnson hit Anderson in the head with a police radio and "another blunt object" and noted that Anderson was forced to get a . 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. 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. Ext. 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 was disturbed not only by the flag but also because Anderson was a police officer. He said the flags are part of his extensive "Dukes of Hazzard" collection. 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.. During the radio broadcast, the Mathises recounted their hesitancy in reporting what they had seen in Andersons home and the backlash they received after they did. Lawsuits claim it wrecked their teeth. 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. The city announced on Aug. 8 that Officer Anderson, who is white and had been with the department for more than two decades, had been placed on administrative leave after he was found in possession of certain items associated with a white supremacist group. That announcement came one day after Rob Mathis, the prospective homebuyer, posted on Facebook the photo of the application, which is blank. 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. The man behind the Facebook post, Robert Mathis, uploaded a picture of the KKK document on Facebook on Aug. 7 after touring Andersons home with his wife, Reyna, their two children and a realtor. Anderson was placed on leave pending an investigation that began Aug. 8. Read MLive coverage of the Charles Anderson case: Fired Muskegon officers personnel file reflects shooting incidents, high praise, Mortified Michigan couple talk about finding KKK memorabilia in officers home, City fires police officer who had KKK memorabilia in home, Ex-police officer says KKK document was an antique, denies being racist, Interview with ex-officer sheds light on racist memorabilia found in home. If you are wondering how the racist material was found in his home, so did we. Kayla Renie / Muskegon Chronicle via AP file. Anderson adamantly denied he is a part of the KKK and pointed out that as a Catholic, he would be considered "a target" of the hate group. Amy.Gerard3@mcd911.net This dental device was sold to fix patients' jaws. All Rights Reserved. Cop fired for KKK, Confederate flag memorabilia signs separation agreement. Anyone can read what you share. Charles Anderson was placed on leave last month after a prospective home buyer said they saw a Ku Klux Klan application and Confederate flags in his house. 2019 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. During Anderson's 22-year career as a police officer, he had two complaints made against him. 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. Officer Charles Anderson of the. He will not be paid, and has not been, since. Have a news tip? In a report released by Muskegon City Manager Frank Peterson last year officer Charles Anderson claimed the framed Ku Klux Klan application on a bedroom wall at his home was part of an antiques collection. 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. . However, he did interview Andersons wife, Rachel, about their interest in collecting historic and vintage items. ARPA Community Grant Program Details + Application (12 minutes) IE 11 is not supported. Anderson said he feared for his life, according to the findings of an investigation report created by then-Muskegon County Prosecutor Tony Tague. Hilson, Muskegons current county prosecutor, told The Muskegon Chronicle that he might re-evaluate the 2009 shooting, depending on the results of the Police Departments internal investigation. ARPA Community Grant Program Details + Application, Authorities & Business Improvement Districts, Lot Division/Combination and New Address Applications, 2008 Downtown and Lakeshore Redevelopment Plan, Muskegon Lake Shoreline Assessment Report, 1997 Downtown/Lakeshore Redevelopment Plan, Downtown Development Authority/Brownfield Redevelopment Board, Crime Activity and Traffic Team Lieutenant, Sanford St and Houston Ave Road Construction, Sherman Blvd and Glenside Blvd Road Construction, Roberts St Road Construction and Water Service Line Replacement, Winter Parking Restrictions Begin December 1. I walked into the most racist home Ive ever been in in my life, Mr. Mathis said. Neither Anderson nor the officers union, the Police Officers Labor Council, could immediately be reached for comment Monday. A five-page separation agreement between the City of Muskegon, officer Charles Anderson, and the Police Officers Labor Council was signed by all parties in April. "This whole situation is very disheartening," Reyna Mathis said. Now, the. Radio producer Ben Calhoun explored how the Mathises were negatively impacted by the case, other complaints regarding Andersons interaction with Black citizens and the difficulty in rooting out racist officers. I need a completed internal investigation.". racist memorabilia found in his home that was for sale, was placed on administrative leave last month. In 2009, Anderson fatally shot a 23-year-old unarmed Black man Julius Allen-Ray Johnson. 1894 shipwreck found in Lake Huron, confirming "powerful, tragic story", Garland to face Congress amid ongoing special counsel investigations, Eli Lilly to cut insulin prices by 70%, cap monthly costs at $35, FBI chief says agency feels pandemic likely started with Chinese lab leak, Three officers shot, standoff follows in Kansas City, Mo., police say, Vanessa Bryant, family settle claims over Kobe crash site photos for $28.5M. Application Was Found in His Home, https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/13/us/officer-charles-anderson-ku-klux-klan.html. 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. His post went viral. RELATED: The. Ext. Reyna was jailedfor obstruction and assault on an officer. The department assures the public that they are investigating the allegations. Anderson was cleared in late 2009 of any wrongdoing in the fatal shooting of Julius Allen-Ray Johnson. The Muskegon Police Department Policy and Procedure Order does not specifically ban private displays of racist materials, MLive reports. Anderson said the unsigned KKK application from the 1920s is a historic item, purchased from a vendor in Indiana and collected as part of his interest in American history and antiques. He posted a picture on Facebook of a framed KKK application he found. ", Muskegon County Prosecutor D.J. The official investigation by the city of Muskegon into the officer's past gets underway- and we have a transcript of what went down! I said I cannot in good conscience bring him back here and put him on the streets of this town, Lewis told Calhoun. The inquiry into Anderson unearthed new complaints made against him that Lewis said will be investigated, according to the report. Michigan police officer fired after a framed Ku Klux Klan application, was fired from the Muskegon Police Department. 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. A two-part series by the "This American Life" public radio program explores the case of former Muskegon Police Officer Charles Chuck Anderson, shown here in a file photo, who was fired after a Black couple from Muskegon, potential homebuyers, reported on social media they found racist material in Andersons Holton home that was for sale. (Kayla Renie/Muskegon Chronicle via AP) The city's investigation claims items with images of Confederate flags at Anderson's home were part of a "Dukes of Hazzard" collection. Officer Anderson On the Job. I wish we could because it would probably set a lot of things straight," Rachael Anderson told the television station when a reporter came to the couple's door. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. DETROIT A Michigan police officer was embroiled in controversy last month after a man discovered Ku Klux Klan memorabilia inside his home,which was up for sale. Address Police Department City Hall1st Floor 933 Terrace St Muskegon, MI 49440 Hours Monday - Thursday: 8:00am - 5:30pm Friday, Saturday, Sunday: Closed Phone (231) 724-6903 Fax (231) 724-2043 Send a message Document Search Stay Connected The separation agreement states Anderson will remain on unpaid status until December 30, 2020. Close alerts, IA 19-06 Official Report Charles Anderson Inquiry with redactions [28MB PDF]. Technically, he signed a separation agreement and walked away with his pension and health insurance. Deasha.Hill@mcd911.net Acomplaint in 2010 alleged that he acted "rudely and disrespectfully" when he arrestedtwo people and usedpepper spray. 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. Anderson had worked at the Muskegon Police Department for 20 years prior to being terminated. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. The Muskegon Police Department opened an internal investigation after Robert Mathis, who is black, posted a picture of the document on Facebook after touring Anderson's Holton-area home, which was for sale. Friday, Saturday, Sunday: Closed. 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. Though Muskegon has a majority white population, over 31% of residents are Black. Sign up for email updates from the City of Muskegon, including information on major events, traffic and other important city projects. 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. The Mathises discuss the backlash they received, including receiving threats and having racial slurs hurled at them. Download the 13 ON YOUR SIDE app now. I first read about this a couple years ago in the newspaper, the story with the attention-grabbing power of a bad joke. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Mr. Mathis, 52, an Army veteran who is black, said that the picture he had posted on Facebook of the K.K.K. Charles Anderson was fired from the Muskegon Police Department on Sept. 13. I was disgusted even being in that house.. A police officer in Michigan was terminated on Thursday after a prospective homebuyer who had been touring the officers house posted a picture on social media of a framed Ku Klux Klan application he had seen there, spurring an internal investigation. She was sentenced to 60 days and $414 in fines. They said they were looking for a home with plenty of land to host their children and grandchildren and initially were excited about the potential of Andersons home. 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. They shall respect and protect the rights of individuals and perform their services with honesty, zeal, courage, discretion, integrity, dedication and sound judgment. Ext. This is, this is, oh, Im getting out of here,' " he said. 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. They also had seen Andersons Muskegon Police uniform and realized a police officer owned the home, the couple said. This prompted calls for the firing of the 24-year force . "Whether or not officer Anderson has racist tendencies or not, would that move the needle one way or another? He mentioned seeing Confederate flags on the walls, dining room table and garage. She was found to be intoxicated and wasarrested by Anderson for two Fail to Appear bench warrants. "He can't say anything right now. Finally we hear the officer - and his wife - explain themselves. We hope that you find the information on our website helpful and easy to find. Officer Andersons wife, Rachael Anderson, told WOOD-TV, a local television station, that her husband was not a Klan member. During Anderson's remaining time on no-pay statues he'll not have access to employment-related benefits. Because he was a police officer, it was my moral obligation to say something about it.. The Muskegon Police Department Policy and Procedure Order states that officers' decorum and behavior should not "undercut public trust" in the department. It explores the case of former Muskegon Police Officer Charles Chuck Anderson who was fired after a Black couple from Muskegon, potential homebuyers, reported on social media they found racist material in Andersons Holton home that was for sale. Mathis, who is Black, said he felt disgusted by what he saw. Reyna Mathis, the realtor and Anderson's colleagues were also interviewed for the report. Last month, Anderson was outed when a couple, the Mathises, toured his home that was for sale. D.J. 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