Live reporting by
Amber Umscheid
There are currently 379 vacant county police and 44 civilian positions at the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, which continues to struggle to fill vacant positions.
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Amber
@organizedoracle
Good morning!😎I'll be live-tweeting Wayne County Commission Committee on Public Safety, Judiciary, & Homeland Security at 11am for @DetDocumenters. Media partners: @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @media_outlier @metrotimes @michigan_public @PlanetDetroit @wdet @wxyzdetroit
09:49 AM May 1, 2024 CDT
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The Zoom link or telephone number to join the meeting can be found on Wayne County's website >>
waynecounty.com/elected/commis…
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The Wayne County Commission and its employees are the legislative branch of county government. The chief role of the commission is to adopt a budget and enact ordinances. The commission also approves contracts, appointments and rules.
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Meeting called to order at 11:00am. Commissioners Clark-Coleman and Clemente are present. Commissioners Daub, Garza, and Kinloch are all on excused absence.
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Since 2009, a minimum of 250+ short staffed on the Detroit Police force. Due to predominantly retirement and officers going elsewhere. Numbers will be presented to the sheriff by end of this week and will come back to this committee once approved.
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Looking to close 379 positions this year, including four new recruiters and four more background investigators because each currently has about 15 cases. Hoping to run an "Each One, Reach One" Campaign with incentives for current employees.
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Timeline of a newly recruited officer will take roughly 6-7 weeks. The application includes mental, physical, and psychological tests and a drug and background check. Last is an oral interview with the county before being hired.
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Deputy training will start in about one week. There is some shorthand talk happening about dollars and open positions. It seems these relate to prior conversations as they are following each other, but I am not following.
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Moving to New Business #2 --
Appointment of John Serda to Deputy Director of Homeland Security & Emergency Management Dept. The previous director moved to a different role within the county.
Without quorum, it will be sent to full board with recommendation.
Appointment of John Serda to Deputy Director of Homeland Security & Emergency Management Dept. The previous director moved to a different role within the county.
Without quorum, it will be sent to full board with recommendation.
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Seeking approval on 26-month High Crime Community Support grant between Charter County of Wayne and Michigan Dept of Treasury in amount of $5m with no county match. These dollars will address case backlogs through retention, recruitment, equipment, and training.
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This grant will recruit nationally, Chief of Staff plays a large roll in the recruitment. This grant will be sent with recommendations to approve.
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They brought Ebony McCann from Transition Services forward about a 2025 funding application. It will be presented to the board at 1pm today. It must be reviewed and submitted by EOB today. Increase in dollar request due to increase in jail population and programs.
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There is no one present for public comment. This moves the meeting to adjournment at 11:47am.
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That concludes today's tweets from the Committee on Public Safety, Judiciary, & Homeland Security. For more coverage, visit . If you believe anything is inaccurate, email documenters@outliermedia.org with "Correction Request" in the subject line.
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