Former state legislator Harvey Santana appointed to Detroit police board

October 7, 2026

Harvey Santana, a former state legislator and current Wayne County Sheriff's Office reserve officer, has been appointed to the Detroit Board of Police Commissioners following a 6-2 City Council vote approving Mayor Mary Sheffield's nomination. His appointment has sparked controversy due to concerns about conflicts of interest stemming from his dual roles as a public safety lobbyist for the nonprofit Just Safe and as a reserve law enforcement officer. Critics, including some council members and community activists, argue that police oversight boards should comprise independent civilian voices rather than individuals connected to law enforcement.

Who is affected

Harvey Santana (newly appointed BOPC member)
Detroit Board of Police Commissioners (11-member oversight body)
Detroit residents subject to police oversight
Crime survivors, rape victims, and human trafficking victims (represented by Santana's advocacy work)
Detroit Police Department officers and captains
Mayor Mary Sheffield (who made the appointment)
Detroit City Council members who voted
Council Members Gabriella Santiago-Romero and Denzel McCampbell (who opposed the appointment)
Community activists like Elena Herrada and Jacob Smith (who publicly opposed the appointment)

What action is being taken

Santana is serving on the Detroit Board of Police Commissioners (term effective immediately through September 23, 2031)
Santana is working as Michigan public safety and government affairs director of Just Safe
Santana is acting as a reserve officer for Wayne County Sheriff's Office (since 2018)
Just Safe is meeting regularly with crime survivors to develop policy proposals for Lansing

Why it matters

This appointment is significant because it raises fundamental questions about the independence and effectiveness of civilian police oversight. The Board of Police Commissioners serves as a critical check on law enforcement power in Detroit, and having a member who is simultaneously a law enforcement officer and police lobbyist creates potential conflicts of interest that could undermine public trust in the oversight process. The controversy reflects broader debates about whether meaningful police accountability can exist when oversight bodies include individuals embedded within law enforcement structures, particularly in a city where community-police relations remain sensitive and police reform is ongoing.

What's next

Santana plans to meet with Detroit police captains from each precinct
Santana plans to meet individually with all members of the BOPC to understand their agendas and goals
Santana will focus on the controversial use of Flock cameras and developing stronger guardrails around the technology

Read full article from source: bridgedetroit.com