The Detroit Police Commissioner for the Fifth District says more needs to be done to make police officers want to work in Detroit, considering they are leaving the department at an alarming rate for suburban departments.
Commissioner Willie Burton says an officer starting out with the Detroit Police Department will make anywhere between $31,000 to $37,000, compared to an outside city like Warren Police who make $54K starting out.
"A lateral transfer for an officer that have 5 years experience on the job, he’s coming in and making 78 grand our top officer with 5 years experience is making 57 thousand and some change,” said Burton.
Keep in mind the Detroit Police Department pays officers to attend the academy.
“Right now the city of Detroit becomes a training ground for other agencies to come in and take our best and our brightest right out of the academy,” said Burton.
People in Detroit tell 7 Action News more needs to be done to keep officers here.
“I think it’s bad for Detroit I think Detroit has a pubic safety issue and we need police officer to patrol the areas and the city and the neighborhoods,” said Donnie K. Whitley.
The commissioner along with the President of the Detroit Police Union Mark Diaz says the mayor needs to increase pay and work on better healthcare benefits.
“We really have to put public safety above everything else with respect to rebuilding this world class city,” said Diaz.
