Justice

Crowd of protestors welcomes new public safety chief

Kalamazoo protesters call for a fresh start as controversial public safety chief retires.

A crowd of protesters gathered in the rain Wednesday to prompt the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety’s new chief to work for police reform.

KDPS Chief Karianne Thomas retired Wednesday. Former Assistant Chief Vernon Coakley moves into the chief’s position Thursday.

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Protester Quinton Bryant issued a challenge to incoming Chief Coakley, according to MLive. “I want to be clear that we are looking to you to make a change,” he said. “You can look at this as a fresh start.”

Protesters are critical of the department for its handling of Black Lives Matter demonstrations in June and a racist march in August.

You can read the full story at MLive.

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