Former Deputy Mayor Todd Bettison assumed the role of interim police chief for Detroit yesterday, succeeding James White, who has moved on to become CEO of the Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network. CBS News Detroit reported that Bettison, a seasoned veteran of the Detroit Police Department (DPD) with 27 years of experience, was sworn in by City Clerk Janice Winfrey, asserting, "I am going to lead with distinction, with honor, and I got their back."
Mayor Mike Duggan, after appointing Bettison on Oct. 25, described the critical nature of the position and expressed his confidence in Bettison's capability quickly to step into the role. According to CBS News Detroit, Bettison is eager to address pressing issues such as reducing crime, managing reckless driving, and improving the retention rate of DPD officers.
He has already begun to actively engage with the department, spending time with officers to assess their needs and understand their challenges fully. As reported by FOX 2 Detroit, Bettison spent about an hour speaking with officers at roll call and acknowledged the appointments made since his departure in 2022. His goal is to continue efforts to reduce crime, following a decline in violent crime to its lowest level in six decades.
Bettison emphasized the importance of traffic enforcement in response to community concerns, noting that "The community in Detroit is complaining about…cars blowing red light, blowing stop signs on the side streets," and promised, according to FOX 2 Detroit, to step up traffic enforcement efforts. He also aims to bolster community engagement with the police force, recognizing the trust and collaboration between Detroit's citizens and its officers as a crucial factor for effective policing.
Bettison's long-term vision for his role was made clear when he articulated a desire for permanence beyond the interim status. "I would not give up deputy mayor to come and participate in something for like three months (being interim)," Bettison told ClickOnDetroit. "You’re looking at your long-term chief."
