DETROIT, Feb. 23 (UPI) -- Top Detroit police officials have been ordered to federal court to explain a backlog of nearly 1,100 citizen complaints, officials said.
Monday's hearing scheduled before Judge Julian Abele Cook Jr. will mark the first time since 2003 that officials have been summoned to address specific issues related to a federal order overseeing police reform, the Detroit News reported Tuesday.
In ordering the hearing, Cook called the complaint backlog "offensive and unacceptable," adding Detroit residents have the right to expect a timely response to concerns about the department.
The complaints relate to non-criminal police conduct such as complaints about rude treatment and harassment. The complaints are handled by the Office of Chief Investigator -- an arm of the independent Board of Police Commissioners -- and not by the police department itself.
Ronald Griffin, chairman of the police commission, told the News he was ready to explain to Cook how the backlog developed and what the commission intends to do about it.
