Pontiac sees stronger police presence after switch to Oakland County Sheriff's Department

Pontiac, Mich. (WXYZ) - Arrests are up and response time has improved dramatically in Pontiac following the switch to the Oakland County Sheriff's Department for police services.

63 former Pontiac officers have been re-hired as deputies for the county.  They join with 11 other deputies to provide a stronger police presence in the financially-strapped city.  Pontiac had only 50 officers on duty when the changeover took effect on August 1, 2011.

"The morale of the guys is good," said deputy Maurice Martin who spent 14 1/2 years with Pontiac Police.  He told Action News the officers "feel like rookies again."

Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said response times in Pontiac have been cut by an hour, to under 14 minutes.  In addtiion, a directed patrol unit made 60 arrests in Pontiac in a six-day period.  Since taking over patrol duties, deputies have made some 200 arrests, according to Undersheriff Mike McCabe.