Interim Chief Joe Trigg Presents Review Following High-Profile Police Deaths

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — At the request of the Grand Rapids City Commission, Interim Police Chief Joe Trigg presented a detailed review of 10 officer-involved shootings that occurred between 2022 and 2026 during a Tuesday public safety committee meeting.

The presentation excluded two fatal cases — Patrick Lyoya in April 2022 and Da'Quain Johnson in February 2026 — which remain under active litigation and investigation.

What Constitutes an Officer-Involved Shooting

Trigg defined officer-involved shootings (OIS) as incidents where an officer discharges their firearm, noting this does not necessarily mean a person was actually shot.

The 12 total OIS incidents that occurred since 2022 were reviewed, with Trigg providing details on time and location, whether the individual involved was known to have a weapon, the number of officers present, and the use of de-escalation and less-lethal force.

Kent County Prosecutor Clears Officers in Most Cases

According to Trigg, the Kent County Prosecutor ruled that officers' actions were justified in 10 of the 12 reviewed cases.

"I stand behind our department and our policies, and we hold our men and women to it right," Trigg said during his presentation.

Correlating Shootings to Gun Seizures

Trigg highlighted the dangers officers face in the field, noting that officers have been seizing around 500 guns annually since 2022. He correlated the increase in officer-involved shootings to the number of guns taken off the street.

"I'm correlating it with the times that there's a lot more guns on the street this day, so there a lot more potential for violence," Trigg explained.

The data shows a clear trend: during periods of higher gun seizures, officer-involved shooting incidents have increased proportionally.

Personal Motivation for Strong Department Leadership

Trigg shared his personal connection to police violence, noting that in 2007, his partner and friend, Officer Robert Kozminski, was shot and killed while responding to a call.

"We had to lay a friend and coworker to rest in this uniform," Trigg said.

"I know personally about the dangers officers face. So my motivation is to make sure our department is held in a high regard, and to make sure on the flip side of that, make sure on our men and women, they have a high standard and they represent this department well."

Broader Police Policy Reviews Underway

Beyond the shooting review, the city is conducting additional policy examinations. Grand Rapids City Manager Mark Washington stated that reviews are ongoing, including an examination of Grand Rapids Police Department pursuit policies and how the internal affairs unit handles misconduct allegations.

Washington noted these conversations could take place later this spring or summer.

"It is important for neighbors to know about the other incidents, despite the ongoing litigation in two cases," Washington said.

Community Demands Transparency

The review comes amid heightened scrutiny of police accountability in the city. Da'Quain Johnson's family has been particularly vocal in their demands for transparency.

Ben Crump, one of Johnson's lawyers, has questioned investigative reports regarding the contents of a magazine in a 9mm pistol recovered from the scene, saying the report "does nothing but open even more inquiries."

The family has also disputed the police narrative that Johnson was reaching for a gun when shot three times in the back.

"I agree with Ben, something's off here," Ven Johnson, the other lawyer for the family, said. "I don't get what they're trying to do."

The lawyers raised concerns about redactions in the investigative report, particularly the names of officers directly involved in Johnson's shooting, which have not been released despite calls from Angelica Johnson, Da'Quain's mother, for transparency.

Ongoing Litigation Cases

Trigg stated he could not comment on Johnson's case or the Lyoya case because they are still being litigated.

"The request first came during the Feb. 24 Public Safety Committee meeting, about a week after a GRPD officer shot and killed Johnson and about a week before Winstrom's final day as chief," the WWMT report noted.

The presentation was part of a broader effort to bring transparency and accountability to the department during a period of heightened public scrutiny.

What Comes Next

The city commission will continue to review the findings, with potential policy changes expected in the coming months. The pursuit policy review and internal affairs misconduct handling examination are scheduled for later in the year.

As Trigg concluded his presentation, the focus remains on maintaining high standards while ensuring community trust is rebuilt.

"I represent this department well, and I know that's on us to keep it polished by adhering to policies, state law and keeping high expectation that we have as an agency," Trigg said.

Sources

• https://wwmt.com/news/local/grand-rapids-police-chief-details-10-officer-involved-shootings-since-2022-joe-trigg-winstrom-daquain-public-safety-committee
• https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/lawyers-man-killed-grand-rapids-185727930.html
• https://www.fox17online.com/news/local-news/grand-rapids/grand-rapids-leaders-review-10-officer-involved-shootings