Judge: Temporary Halt To 12-Hour Shifts For Detroit Police
DETROIT (WWJ) - A Wayne County judge has issued a temporary restraining order preventing Detroit Police Chief Ralph Godbee from implementing 12-hour shifts for officers.
Detroit Police Officer Association Executive Board Member Scott Pellerino said it's a frustrating place for Detroit police officers to be in.
"When you're at work, having that in the back of your head, worrying about 10 percent cuts, worrying about putting food on the table for my family, worrying about working 12 hour shifts and finding a daycare center that will take care of my kid for 12 hours," said Pellerino.
Pallerino said the 12-hour shifts are just too demanding -- in a city that has such a large amount of police calls and is so busy.
Detroit Police Officers Association Attorney Donato Iorio said the top salary in the DPS is $47,000. He says if the city imposes lower wages and 12-hour days it could be a recipe for disaster:
"Detroit is the most violent and dangerous city in America any yet the Detroit police officers have the most difficult, dangerous and stressful conditions and yet they are paid the worst," said Iorio.
The case will be taken up again in court Friday, August 24.
The city of Detroit says the cuts are part of the overall plan to save the city $102 million a year.
