Detroit Deputy Mayor Todd Bettison named interim police chief
(CBS DETROIT) - Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan named Detroit Deputy Mayor and police veteran Todd Bettison as the city's new interim police chief on Friday.
Bettison will take over the reins from Detroit Police Chief James White, who was named the president and CEO of the Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network last week.
A licensed mental health counselor, White applied for the position last month after serving three years as Detroit's police chief. White's last day is Saturday, Nov. 10.
"I'm going to do everything that I can to bring you the services that you need so we can stop encountering these folks who are in mental health crisis on police runs," White said. "That is not the place they need to be encountered. They need to be encountered in hospitals."
White was appointed Detroit's police chief in June 2021 after former chief James Craig announced his retirement to run for governor. White has been with the DPD since 1996 and was named the city's assistant police chief in 2009. He began working with the Michigan Department of Civil Rights in 2020 before becoming chief.
"I hate to lose him as Deputy Mayor, but this job is so critical that I'm just so pleased we had somebody ready to step in," Duggan said.
Bettison served with the Detroit Police Department for 27 years, including as first assistant chief under White before stepping down in 2022 to become deputy mayor. According to the city, Bettison joined DPD in 1994 as a patrol officer and was promoted to sergeant and then lieutenant within six years.
"I truly believe that I am the best individual for the role of permanent chief having been here," Bettison said. "I'm plug and play. And, as far as being deputy mayor, I really, truly understand on another level how the police department is one department among many."
Bettison graduated with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Wayne State University and holds a graduate business certificate from the Mike Ilitch School of Business, according to his city biography.
The Detroit Board of Police Commissioners is conducting a national search for White's permanent replacement and will recommend three candidates to Duggan. Duggan will then recommend a top candidate to the Detroit City Council for confirmation.
Bettison will take over on Monday, Nov. 11.
