Everything old is new again. Even law enforcement tactics.
Detroit Police Chief James Craig announced today that he's reviving the department's tactical services section as well as forming a new task force to deal with carjackings and creating an intelligence unit focusing on gang activity. The city's previous gang squad was disbanded under former police chief Ralph Godbee.
Detroit Free Press: Craig has said his priority is getting more officers on the streets.
In an effort to do that, Craig said the mayor’s executive protection unit is being decreased from 22 members down to one supervisor and five police officers, and the number of officers assigned to the city council has decreased from five to three. As well, Craig said officers from his office — including one whose sole job was to gas and clean vehicles and those assigned to clerical duties — also have been reassigned.
Craig talked about the inefficiency of having sworn officers handling duties that could be performed by civilians, including clerical duties. He said there was an officer in his office at one point handling timekeeping and officers working as technicians, installing lights and sirens on police vehicles.
Craig also cut the number of officers assigned to protect the mayor and city council as well as trimming his administrative staff.
Craig has made a number of moves to reverse policies of his recent predecessors. Last month, he began transitioning police precincts back to 24-hour operations beginning with the 12th precinct on Woodward and Seven Mile.
