Top Cop For The Day Is 9-Year-Old Jayvon Felton
DETROIT (WWJ) - A 9-year-old gets the rare opportunity to be police chief for the day in Detroit.
Detroit Police Chief James Craig giving the Oath of Office and turning over some duties to 9-year-old Jayvon Felton, "Police Chief for a Day."
"This is not a day of sadness, but a day of celebration for Chief Jayvon," said Chief Craig.
Felton is diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and is a "fan" of the DPD, according to Craig.
Chief asked the newly sworn-in Chief Jayvon if he is up for the challenge and ready to "take over the duties of running this great police department."
"Take a look at your executive teams. I want you to hold them accountable ... some things are just unacceptable," he said to a laughing crowd.
The State Police helicopter shuttled the 9-year-old to the Detroit Police Safety Headquarters on Third and Mackinac, where clowns from the Thanksgiving Parade Company, police in and out of uniform, and his 4th Grade class from Roberto Clemente Elementary school greeted the 9-year-old Felton.
"Thank you all for coming," said Jayvon, sounding humbled.
Mom Amanda Clinkscales was almost overcome:
"Probably about a week ago, he said he just wants to be a regular boy again. And I told him you are a regular boy, what you have is not your fault we are going to get through it because God said so, and you'll be just fine and I love you. And thank everyone for all of this, thank you," she said.
'Chief' Jayvon was flown to Detroit Police Headquarters on the Michigan State Police helicopter, got to sit in the driver seat of a Detroit Grand Prix Formula 1 car, and was sworn in and received his badge before checking out the chief's office, before heading out to "catch a few bad guys," according the "real" chief, James Craig.
Craig joked that with Jayvon at the helm, he was starting his vacation, the first, he noted, in his seven months since coming back to Detroit after stints in other cities, including Cincinnati.
