Brandon Davis, City's New Oversight And Public Accountability Director
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – City Manager Mark Washington today announced the appointment of Brandon Davis as the City of Grand Rapids' new oversight and public accountability director. The selection followed a competitive national search and digital town hall.
Davis served in the position on an interim basis since the creation of the Office of Oversight and Public Accountability last August. Before that, he was senior labor relations specialist at the City. He previously served as senior assistant prosecutor in Muskegon County, handling serious felony cases.
As oversight and public accountability director, Davis will serve as an additional link between the community and the Grand Rapids Police and Fire departments. He also will conduct independent review and investigations of alleged misconduct by City employees, reports on investigations and public safety outcomes and reviews and recommends policies for the departments.
The executive position, which reports to the city manager, requires an understanding of public safety operations and their challenges along with the ability to build and maintain public trust while maintaining independence and objectivity.
The position is aligned with the City's strategic plan and recommendations from several consultants and studies.
It will help to build trust and transparency between the community and provide additional transparency to public safety operations and policies and community concerns.
"Mr. Davis has risen to the top as someone who can help us strengthen community - police relations and our commitment that all people feel safe and are safe at all times throughout our community," Washington said. "He has a high level of understanding of public safety operations and their challenges and a proven ability to build community relationships and maintain public trust. He is well - positioned to help community members understand when officers do their job well and follow policy and help our police and fire departments improve policies and hold employees accountable when needed."
Davis said he was grateful for the opportunity to serve the community and City organization in this way.
"I look forward to continuing to help to create and improve just outcomes and respectful relationships between public safety and community," he said. "I am proud of the strategic framework the Office of Oversight and Public Accountability has created in partnership with stakeholders and I look forward to leading this pivotal office in our safe community efforts."
Davis began his law career in his hometown of Detroit, where he served as a defense attorney and prosecutor. He has a bachelor's degree in interpersonal and public communication from Central Michigan University and a law degree from Wayne State University.
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