Twenty-one towing companies that service the Detroit Police Department have had their permits cancelled.
The city’s law department ruled the Board of Police Commissioners unlawfully awarded contracts.
“Under the city charter, state law, the board did not have the legal authority to either select tow companies or award any permit or contract to them,” Chuck Raimi, Deputy Corporation Counsel, told 7 Action News at the commissioners Thursday night meeting.
At that meeting, the board Chair pushed back.
“We acted in good faith with legal counsel available at the time,” said Chairman Willie Bell.
He didn’t accept the decision and says a meeting needs to take place to understand it.
A handful of towing company workers also attended the meeting, unsure of what happened and what it means for them.
In the meantime, towing companies are allowed to continue their work for the city on an interim basis until new bidding takes place, or the legal dispute is resolved.
