Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan continues to get more control over the city departments as Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr's departure date nears.
On Thursday, Duggan took control of the city's department of homeland security, which had been under control of Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr, Joe Guillen of the Detroit Free Press reports.
Duggan didn't wait long to take action.
He fired Homeland Security Director Gerald Simon. The department is under the police department, which is still run by Orr.
Sgt. Michael Woody said that Simon was asked to step down and will be replaced, the Freep reports. Woody told the Freep that the changes had nothing to do with the city's response to this week.
“This change is an important step towards making certain that the city of Detroit provides the best level of protection and emergency response necessary for our residents, workers and visitors,” the police department said in a statement.
A spokesman for Duggan declined to comment.
Orr is tentatively scheduled to leave Detroit next month. However, that could change as the bankruptcy trial date keeps changing.
Orr and Duggan split up control of the city departments after Duggan took office in January.
Last month, Duggan was given control of the water department, which had been under siege for cutting off services to residents.
Duggan has implemented a new plan to try and help residents pay for water service and keep the water running.
He said during a press conference last week that the major problems with citizens and the public relations nightmare wouldn't have happened had he been in charge of the water department form the beginning.