East Lansing police chief retires amid excessive force probe 

WEDNESDAY, March 18 — East Lansing Police Chief Larry Sparkes announced his retirement this week, just days after his department announced the Michigan State Police was investigating an officer for excessive force. 

According to a recent press release, Sparkes’ last day as police chief was on Sunday. Less than a week earlier, it was announced that Officer Andrew Stephenson was under investigation for allegedly using excessive force during an arrest in December. Sparkes couldn’t be reached for comment. Mayor Ruth Beier said there’s no connection. 

“It’s not directly related,” Beier told City Pulse. “He was planning to retire this year anyway.” 

Stephenson, who remains on paid administrative leave, was accused last month of brutalizing Uwimana Gasito during an arrest in downtown East Lansing. While that investigation ultimately cleared Stephenson of wrongdoing, a separate incident from December that left a suspect injured apparently raised more red flags. 

Sparkes said an investigation into the December incident was completed on Feb. 11 but a review of those findings was postponed while Police officials dealt with Gasito’s more widely publicized accusations. Video, however, showed Stephenson using the same excessive tactics that he allegedly used on Gasito, Sparkes said.  

The discovery was made on Tuesday, officials said, and Stephenson was immediately placed on paid leave while the Michigan State Police continue to investigate the incident. The outcome of that probe will determine the next steps, but in the meantime, city officials are keeping the public in the dark about the accusations. 

City officials have not released the name of the man injured in December, who lodged a formal complaint against Stephenson in January. A Freedom of Information Act request by City Pulse for a summary report of the internal investigation, as well as video footage of the incident, was denied by city officials yesterday afternoon. City Pulse is appealing. 

In their denial to City Pulse, officials said the release of those records would interfere with law enforcement proceedings and deprive Stephenson of “the right to a fair trial or impartial administrative adjudication.” Furthermore, the release would supposedly “constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion” of his privacy.  

That same official — Sgt. Adrian Ojerio — also attempted to charge City Pulse more than $500 to obtain video footage of Stephenson’s encounter with Gasito from earlier this month. After a brief dispute and before a formal appeal could be filed with Beier, the City Council ordered the footage to be released in its entirety online. 

A formal appeal for this denial was sent to Beier earlier this afternoon. She hasn't responded.

In the meantime, ELPD is implementing some changes, including a review of its use of force techniques and reporting changes that would ensure the Police Department is aware of all incidents involving use of force. 

Sparkes was hired by ELPD in 1987 as a jail service officer and was sworn-in as a police officer in 1997. He was promoted to sergeant in 2004, lieutenant in 2011, captain in 2015 and named police chief in 2017. He has also held a variety of roles including student alliance officer, crime scene investigator and accident investigator. 

Deputy Chief Steve Gonzales — a 22-year veteran of ELPD — is serving as interim police chief as the permanent hiring process unfolds. Due to the current state of emergency, that process is likely to be delayed. 

Visit lansingcitypulse.com for previous and continued coverage as the MSP investigation proceeds.