Detroit’s leadership is shifting again, and this time, it’s a familiar face stepping up. Mayor Mike Duggan announced Todd Bettison as his pick to lead the city’s police department, sending the decision to City Council for approval. The room was packed with city officials, community leaders, and police brass as Duggan framed it as a “day of celebration.” But for Detroiters, the real question is: What does this mean for public safety, accountability, and the relationship between law enforcement and the Black community?
Duggan didn’t hesitate to praise Bettison’s record, pointing to his time as deputy mayor and interim police chief as proof of his leadership. With 27 years in the Detroit Police Department before transitioning to city government, Bettison knows this department inside and out. He steps into a role overseeing 2,633 officers and a $424.3 million budget—numbers that tell part of the story, but not all of it.
Bettison, a 27-year police veteran, was second-in-command to White prior to becoming deputy mayor in 2022 and described by the city as “one of the fastest rising members” of the Detroit Police Department. He’s widely known for his presence in Detroit’s communities. The city has also described him as someone who “serves as a bridge to community leaders and activists across the political spectrum.”
Bettison has said he intends to take a preventative approach to public safety while still being tough on crime. Bettison led the city’s “ShotStopper” community-based program to reduce gun violence in Detroit’s most violent neighborhoods during his time as deputy mayor. It’s a program the city touts as largely successful amid historic drops in homicides in Detroit. Duggan appointed Bettison as interim chief after James White left his job to become CEO of the Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network. He was officially sworn in in November, when he declared:
“You’re looking at your permanent chief right now …. I don’t see anybody that’s better.”
Per a requirement in the city charter, the Detroit Board of Police Commissioners conducted a national search for a new police chief. Although board members themselves and a plethora of community members have voiced support for Bettison during the process, stating there likely would not be a candidate with the qualifications and strong ties to the community that Bettison has.
Commissioners interviewed a handful of candidates during a Jan. 30 board meeting, when nearly every public speaker that attended urged the board to choose Bettison. Numerous grassroots leaders in community violence intervention work, whom Bettison has worked closely with during his role as deputy mayor, voiced their support. Todd Bettison has repeatedly said he’s the guy for the job of Detroit’s top cop since the day he was named interim police chief in October.
Today, Mayor Mike Duggan officially agreed.
Duggan announced Monday that he wants Bettison to remain police chief and will recommend the former deputy mayor to city council, who within 30 days will vote to either approve or move against the recommendation.
This decision follows the departure of former Chief James White, who left the role nearly three months ago. Duggan had a slate of candidates to consider, including the three finalists put forth by the Detroit Board of Commissioners. The other two finalists—Joel Fitzgerald, a former transit police chief in Denver, and Joshua Wallace, a Chicago police commander—faced scrutiny that may have influenced the mayor’s final call. Fitzgerald was fired from his last role for what was described as “lack of good judgment,” and Wallace had filed for bankruptcy last year with over $839,000 in debt. Duggan ultimately selected Bettison, who had already been serving as interim chief since October.
Bettison started as a patrol officer in 1994 and quickly moved up the ranks. Within five years, he was promoted to sergeant, then lieutenant just a year later. As first assistant chief, he played a key role in handling Detroit’s response to the 2020 protests after the murder of George Floyd. That summer, Bettison knelt with protesters—but when tensions escalated, police used tear gas. Later, Bettison grew emotional in a press conference, explaining that someone had thrown a projectile at officers. The moment underscored the constant balancing act between public outcry and police enforcement.
Conversely, Bettison’s past isn’t without controversy.
If confirmed, Bettison will lead the department at a time when crime trends are shifting. Homicides in Detroit dropped to 203 in 2024—the lowest number since 1965 and a 19% decrease from the previous year. Even with this progress, the city’s homicide rate remains one of the highest in the country at 31.9 per 100,000 residents. By comparison, the national average sits at 7.4. Michigan’s overall homicide rate is 5.83 per 100,000. Non-fatal shootings also declined by 25% from the previous year, while carjackings saw a 15% drop. Violent crime overall fell by 7.2%, with 11,681 incidents recorded—Detroit’s lowest in decades.
Bettison had a hand in one of the city’s most innovative crime-fighting programs—the Shot Stoppers Community Violence Intervention initiative. Under this program, community-based organizations were given responsibility for reducing violence in designated high-crime areas. These groups each received $175,000 per quarter, with performance-based bonuses for measurable reductions in crime. Duggan and Bettison both say the initiative is working, proving that community-driven strategies can make a difference.
The CVI program designates six agencies to cover high-crime areas spanning three to five square miles, with each group responsible for crafting and implementing its own violence reduction strategies. The city’s bet on community intervention, rather than just increasing law enforcement presence, reflects a shift in strategy that many cities are watching closely. Bettison and Duggan have maintained that these investments are paying off, contributing to Detroit’s steady decline in violent crime.
This is a moment to pay attention. The council’s approval isn’t just a formality—it’s an opportunity to push for leadership that doesn’t just maintain the status quo. Bettison’s past, his experience, and his plans for the future all deserve scrutiny. Detroit’s safety, its communities, and the trust between law enforcement and the people they serve are all on the line.
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