Detroit Police Chief James White is eyeing a significant career shift, having officially thrown his hat in the ring for the CEO role at the Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network (DWIHN), a key player in the city's struggle with mental health. As reported by CBS News Detroit, White confirmed his application, emphasizing the critical nature of the position: "It's an extremely important role at a critical time for Detroit and Wayne County," and highlighting the persistent mental health crisis in the community. Known for his reformative approach to policing, White comes to the selection table as one of the several candidates vying for the top job at DWIHN.
White, who has served with the Detroit Police Department since 1996 and took over as police chief in June 2021, steps into the application process with extensive experience in law enforcement and mental health counseling. As reported by The Detroit News, his tenure saw an overhaul of the department's Crisis Intervention Team program, and his background includes a master's degree in counseling. The upcoming mayoral election, in which Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan has not officially announced a re-election bid, looms with uncertain implications for the city's leadership landscape.
The role at DWIHN entails overseeing services for a swath of populations grappling with serious mental illness, emotional disturbances, and substance use disorders. According to BridgeDetroit, White is not only a licensed mental health counselor but also initiated a specialized police response to mental health emergencies, cementing a collaboration between DWIHN and law enforcement officers in his police reform strategy.
As the application process progresses, White remains dedicated to his current role, stating he is, "fully committed to serving as Detroit's Police Chief", as per BridgeDetroit. Details of the CEO search highlight eight finalists were announced by the search committee, with White being one among them. The committee aims to find a successor to former CEO Eric Doeh, who stepped down in June. The next CEO will continue to maintain vital partnerships, such as the one with the Detroit Police Department, which under White’s stewardship, intensified its focus on mental health crises.
