Detroit's police chief says officers are ready for spike in violence as decision looms

DETROIT (WXYZ) - Chief of Police Ralph Godbee is taking no chances as the city council and the state’s financial review team move closer to a decision about Detroit’s future.

As a vote on a new financial deal with the state looms in council, Godbee says he is readying his troops for anything. The chief tells Action News he has implemented a “test mobilization,” which is essentially like a fire drill for officers.

Godbee will not go into specific details about the mobilization but he says the test ensures that officers are prepared in case of any spike in unrest.

“Just given the tone and tenor and a lot of the rhetoric that has been going back and forth – and a lot of heartfelt emotions about the future of the city of Detroit it would be unwise for us to do anything other than test our readiness,” Godbee said.

Godbee adds that he does not expect any surge in violence. Still, he has reached out to Michigan State Police to make sure they are also standing by if the department needs assistance.