Ferndale Police Department

310 E. Nine Mile Rd.

Ferndale MI 48220
248-541-3650
www.ferndalemi.gov

Press Release
Ferndale, Mich. (October 29, 2021) —The following is the statement issued on Sept. 15, 2021, by the
City of Ferndale and the Ferndale Police Department regarding the Department’s interaction with
Helena Bowe. The City is unable to provide additional comment on this or any other pending or
ongoing/open legal matters.

On the morning of September 15, 2021, the Michigan Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic
Relations (CAIR) held a press conference in which they alleged that Ferndale Police officers violated the
religious rights of 40-year-old Helana Bowe following a June 2021 traffic stop. The allegations were
brought to the attention of City officials and Police Department leadership by local media following the
press conference.

The City of Ferndale considers the rights of our citizens and the people we serve in all that we do.
Ferndale City Council recently approved and implemented a Declaration of Official Commitment to
Antiracism, including appointing the City’s first Racial Equity Action Team; and the Ferndale Police
Department has been lauded for being one of the first law enforcement agencies in Michigan to receive a
rigorous Accreditation for best practices in transparency, accountability, and professionalism by the
Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police. We give the allegations made by CAIR our highest attention and
began working immediately to review the case and the claims regarding the violation of Ms. Bowe’s
religious rights.

The Ferndale Police Department maintains that traffic stop and search were conducted ethically and
appropriately. Ms. Bowe was stopped on 8 Mile Rd.—which, as a shared road between the Cities of
Ferndale and Detroit, is routinely patrolled by both police departments—for having a fraudulent license
plate. During the stop, she admitted to possessing a Taser without a concealed carry permit; upon search,
officers discovered that she had a stun gun—a weapon that is illegal in Michigan. Ms. Bowe was placed
under arrest and taken to the Ferndale Police Department.

During the booking process at the police station, Ferndale Police Chief Dennis Emmi acknowledges that
Ms. Bowe was asked to remove her hijab for a set of photos.

“Our officers were simply following departmental policy, which includes photographing hair as an
important identifying feature,” Emmi said. “Now, in reviewing the case and circumstances, I see the
opportunity for our policies to evolve to better meet the needs of our community.” Chief Emmi said that
he will reach out to CAIR to discuss how the Police Department can show increased sensitivity and better
serve citizens of the Muslim faith.

[more]

For Immediate Release

Additionally, City Manager Joseph Gacioch has tasked the City’s newly established Racial Equity Action
Team with delivering a religious and cultural sensitivity training to the entire City of Ferndale staff.

[Update Oct. 29, 2021: the City’s Racial Equity Action Team convened earlier this month and
identified an organization with which to pursue an organization-wide training. With approval by the
City Manager, the Team is seeking a proposal and expects to present the information to City Council
in November.]

“There is no such thing as too much education,” Gacioch said. “We recognize the need for further
knowledge and guidance, we are absolutely open to accepting it and updating our policies and practices,
and we look forward to a positive and productive partnership with our friends at the American Islamic
Relations Council.”

Officer Jillian Mahlmeister

Public Information Officer
Ferndale Police Department
310 E Nine Mile, Ferndale, MI 48220
Direct-248 584-2596
jmahlmeister@ferndalepolice.org