Issue link: https://let.epubxp.com/i/254119
20 Law Enforcement Technology February 2014 www.officer.com COVER PROFILE LET: What don't you like? Craig: The naysayers who say we'll never do it, who say the people of Detroit will never dig themselves out of the hole they are in. I make it my mission to prove them wrong a little more every day. LET: What are the biggest challenges facing the department? Craig: W hen I became chief, officer morale was lower than any department I have ever seen. You cannot expect an officer to work as hard as a Detroit police officer has to work, when they are given a 10 percent pay cut, forced to work a 12-hour shift and given limited resources to do a job that could very well get them killed. Since I've been here, I have elimi- nated 12-hour shifts, I have worked vigorously to get them the resources they need to do their job, and I have tried to show our officers that they are respected and not expendable. LET: What are the unique challenges of operating a police department in a city that has declared bankruptcy? Craig: As you would expect, funding is an issue. We have been very fortunate in that several large corporations have been very generous to the city and its public safety departments. We have received several brand new scout cars and EMS rigs donated by these businesses. Even with those donations, the department is still facing challenges. Officers received a 10 percent wage cut, facing major cuts to their health care and also hits to their pension plans. The hits keep coming, but what amazes me is their dedication to their profession and the citizens of the city. I am trying to address morale by tak- ing care of some the smaller issues that seem trivial to some, but play a signifi- cant role in overall productivity. LET: Any advice you have for other chiefs/managers facing similar fiscal issues? Craig: Put together a support staff that can assist you in getting the job done. Make sure everyone has the same goal and the ability to achieve that goal. It is unfortunately too common for people to be in a position of authority who do not have the capability to be in that position. Remember, you can't do it alone. Look to those individuals to run their respective commands. The Captain that is in charge of the pre- cinct should be responsible for not just crime, but every other aspect including the fiscal operations of that precinct. Fiscal responsibility is every member's responsibility. AN ENTIRELY DIFFERENT APPROACH TO MOBILE DEVICE FORENSICS. AccessData and Mobile Phone Examiner (MPE+) are registered trademarks of AccessData Group. ©2014 AccessData Group EMPOWER YOUR INVESTIGATIONS. www.accessdata.com/mobile-phone-examiner 800.574.5199 MPE+ Mobile Phone Examiner Plus ® Circle 40 on Reader Service Card LET_18-23_ChiefProfile0214.indd 20 1/24/14 12:33 PM