"If he had just been anybody else," he said, "I wouldve just told my wife, you know, lets put an offer in on the house.". 8617, Amy Gerard 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. Anderson had worked at the Muskegon Police Department for 20 years prior to being terminated. D.J. Anderson was cleared of any wrongdoing in. Patrick.Vandommelen2@mcd911.net He bought the application about six years ago in Indiana. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. ARPA Community Grant Program Details + Application discovered Ku Klux Klan memorabilia inside his home, California utility cuts power to more than 20,000 customers, US Army soldier planned to kill 'antifa' activists, bomb a major news network, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. The first thing I noticed walking through the dining room was a Confederate flag placemat on the table, Mr. Mathis said. Officer Charles Anderson of the Muskegon Police Department gives his testimony at the Muskegon County Hall of Justice, in Muskegon on Wednesday, March 20, 2019. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Hilson told the outlet in Aug. I guess I cant answer that question. "Whether or not officer Anderson has racist tendencies or not, would that move the needle one way or another? An unsettling discovery in the home of a local police officer rocks an entire city. This prompted calls for the firing of the 24-year force . ", Example video title will go here for this video. Last August Rob Mathis, who is black, toured Anderson's home in Holton with his wife Reyna and a Realtor. A prospective homebuyer found Confederate flags and a framed Ku Klux Klan application in the officers house in Holton, Mich. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. The department assures the public that they are investigating the allegations. Anderson placed Reyna under arrest for refusing to follow his orders, and she struck him in the face and eye with her hand, causing minor injury. Anderson was cleared of any wrongdoing in that 2009 incident. The report states they refused to comply with Andersons commands and Reyna Mathis "struck him in the face and eye with her hand." Ext. Officer Charles Anderson of the Muskegon Police Department gives his testimony at the Muskegon County Hall of Justice, on March 20, 2019. IE 11 is not supported. Referring to Officer Anderson, Mr. Mathis said: Its unfortunate that hes in our community, because he might have put people in jail on false charges, especially minorities. MUSKEGON, Mich. (WOOD) A Muskegon police officer is under investigation and on paid administrative leave after items associated with a white supremacy group were found at his home. Anderson, who had been with the department for more than two decades, denied ever being a KKK member or supporter and said that the Confederate items Mathis saw in his home are a "very small part" of an extensive collection of "Dukes of Hazard memorabilia he has spent decades gathering, according to the report. The executive summary noted two citizen complaints against Anderson that the department was aware of. [Go here for more about police violence and unrest]. Last month, Anderson was outed when a couple, the Mathises, toured his home that was for sale. Anderson said he feared for his life, according to the findings of an investigation report created by then-Muskegon County Prosecutor Tony Tague. She said she only realized after the report was released Monday that the officer she was accused of assaulting was Anderson. 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. Follow Micah Walker on Twitter:@Micah_walker701. 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. Still, the couple said, they have no regrets in reporting what they witnessed. Ext. 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. The comments on that post exploded, Calhoun said, leading to the citys decision to place Anderson on leave and conduct the investigation. In the report, Mathis said he toured the home because he and Reyna were looking for a residence that had a significant amount of land so the two of them, along with their 12-year-old daughter and 21-year-old son, could spend more time outdoors. Police in Muskegon, Michigan, launched an internal investigation of officer Charles Anderson last week after the would-be homebuyer, who is black, said he discovered a Confederate flag display and a framed Ku Klux Klan application during a tour of the home. Janelle Griffith is a national reporter for NBC News focusing on issues of race and policing. In October2008, Reyna Mathis was involved in a bar fight and accused of assaulting another person. 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. Mathis posted pictures of what he saw on Facebook and discovered the home belonged to Muskegon police officer Charles "Chuck" Anderson. A Michigan police officer has been fired from the Muskegon Police Department following an inquiry into racist memorabilia found in his home that was for sale. The public radio program aired the first part, titled A Couple Walks Into a House on Jan. 21, and the second part, A City Walks Into an Investigation on Jan. 28. Mathis, 52, a U.S. Army veteran, has said he felt morally obligated to report what he had witnessed. In September 2019, five weeks after their Facebook post about the discovery, city officials concluded that Anderson had lost the publics trust and was fired. "I feel as though we are being punished because of something we saw in a home that we never asked to see.". Charles Anderson, who had been with the Muskegon Police Department for more than two decades, denied ever being a Ku Klux Klan member or supporter. The former police officer did not remove the item from the wall because he forgot it was in his antique collection room. The document was obtained by 13 On Your Side through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request this week. The Ku Klux Klan document Robert Mathis says was on display at Muskegon Police Officer Charles Anderson's house. Charles Anderson was terminated after a Thursday morning hearing. I guess I can't answer that question," Hilson told the newspaper. 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 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. Related Story: Michigan Police Officer Charles Anderson on Leave After KKK Items Found in his Home. 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. "I was like 'Oh my god! Effective December 31, 2020, Anderson's employment with the city will end by way of his retirement. The inquiry into Anderson unearthed new complaints made against him that Lewis said will be investigated, according to the report. Anyone can read what you share. Robertson says Anderson is the officer who made the arrest. "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." 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 . The Muskegon Police Department announced on Aug. 8 that it had opened an internal investigation after a social media post was "brought to its attention" accusing the veteran officer of "being in possession of certain items associated with a white supremacy group.". 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. 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. His post went viral. Anderson said the reason for the KKK application is related to his passion for U.S. history from the late 1800s to the 1960s. The Mathises discuss the backlash they received, including receiving threats and having racial slurs hurled at them. 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. 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. Following Mathis' allegations, Anderson, who has been on the force more than 20 years, was put on leave indefinitely, City Manager Frank Peterson said Thursday. Because he was a police officer, it was my moral obligation to say something about it.. Reyna Mathis was sentenced to 60 days in jail for assaulting an officer, the report states, which she disputes. Anderson was placed on leave pending an investigation that began Aug. 8. That was the owner of the house, Officer Charles Anderson, who, at the time, was a 21-year veteran of the Muskegon Police Department. Johnson had scuffled with Anderson, who was beaten in the head. He mentioned seeing Confederate flags on the walls, dining room table and garage. All Rights Reserved. I need a completed internal investigation.. Reyna and Robert Mathis said they believe the department tried to tarnish their images to make Anderson look good and as if the couple was seeking revenge after 11 years. The former officer said the reason for having the items is his love for history anda classic TV show. application hanging on the wall. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Instead, the city released the more than 400-page investigative report that didnt find any pattern of problems with Black citizens that Lewis said hed uncovered. One from 2010 alleges Anderson "acted rudely and disrespectfully" during an incident which led to the use of pepper spray and two people being arrested, the report states. Records from the Michigan Department of Corrections show Robertson was arrested in Muskegon County in 2006 and served 12 years in prison. Officer. Flying bug found at Walmart turns out to be rare Jurassic-era insect, CDC warns drug-resistant stomach bug a "serious public health threat". 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. Reyna was jailedfor obstruction and assault on an officer. 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. Deasha.Hill@mcd911.net 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. We hope that you find the information on our website helpful and easy to find. Friday, Saturday, Sunday: Closed. Rob Mathis, the prospective homebuyer, posted on Facebook. 1119 Police Clerk Deasha Hill Deasha.Hill@mcd911.net Ext. Now, the. Muskegon Police Officer Charles Anderson describes his struggle with Julius Allen-Ray Johnson prior to fatally shooting him on Sept. 23, 2009. If you have any questions or are looking for further information, please call, send us an email, or visit us. Email news@13onyourside.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter. On December 31, 2020 Anderson will have accrued a total of 25 years and two months of service credit. And when he went upstairs, he saw the framed K.K.K. 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. 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. The paper reported that Anderson was cleared of fatally shooting a black man, Julius Johnson, 23, following a traffic stop in 2009. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10214761835347198&set=a.1058959801946&type=3. Tim.Thielbar@mcd911.net MUSKEGON COUNTY, MI The case of a Muskegon police officer fired after Confederate flags and KKK memorabilia were found in his home was the subject of a two-part series by the This American Life radio program that examines the difficulty of rooting racism out of police forces. 1119, Deasha Hill Close alerts, IA 19-06 Official Report Charles Anderson Inquiry with redactions [28MB PDF]. Rob Mathis posted a picture of the framed KKK application on Facebook, at the time knowing the home belonged to a Muskegon Police officer. I wanted to shield her from this.. 13 On Your Side obtained a separation agreement between the City of Muskegon and Charles Anderson through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. This dental device was sold to fix patients' jaws. Reyna Mathis, the realtor and Anderson's colleagues were also interviewed for the report. 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. As the family walked around, he said, his wife noticed a police officers coat, and he saw two more Confederate flags in the garage. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Monday Thursday: 8:00am 5:30pm 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. Frank Peterson, the city manager of Muskegon, confirmed on Friday that the officer, Charles Anderson, had been terminated, but said a report on the inquiry conducted by the Muskegon Police Department would not be released until next week. Finally we hear the officer - and his wife - explain themselves. ", Muskegon County Prosecutor D.J. 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 Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Get the top DEI news delivered straight to your inbox, Michigan Police Officer Charles Anderson on Leave After KKK Items Found in his Home, fatally shot a 23-year-old unarmed Black man Julius Allen-Ray Johnson, 5 Biggest News Stories of the Week: February 23, 5 Biggest News Stories of the Week: February 17, Race, Homelessness and the Role of Corporate Social Responsibility, How Companies Are Celebrating Black History Month, 5 Biggest News Stories of the Week: February 9. Anderson was fired from the department on Sept. 12, following a lengthy investigation into the accusation. She told NBC News on Monday that she was defending herself against Anderson in that incident and that when her lawyer asked to enter the dashboard camera from the police vehicle as evidence, the department was unable to locate it so she was placed on probation. Anderson told MLive.com he was advised not to comment amid the investigation. MUSKEGON, Mich. (WOOD) The Muskegon police officer who had Ku Klux Klan memorabilia in his home has lost his job. 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. Mr. Mathis said he reached out to Officer Anderson and Chief Lewis but never heard from them. The shooting was determined to be an act of self-defense. "This whole situation is very disheartening," Reyna Mathis said. 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