DETROIT (WXYZ) — Detroit Deputy Mayor Todd Bettison has been tapped to be the new interim chief of the Detroit Police Department, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan announced on Friday.
Bettison was appointed as deputy mayor in 2022 and previously served 27 years with the department, rising to the rank of deputy chief and second-in-command behind Chief James White.
Hear more from Bettison during his introductory press conference below
White's last day as chief will be Nov. 8 after he was appointed the new CEO of the Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network last week.
During the introductory press conference, Bettison said that he loved his time as deputy mayor and even joked that he asked Duggan if he could be both the deputy mayor and interim police chief.
"I truly believe that I am the best individual for the role of permanent chief with having been here. I'm plug-and-play," he said. "I do want to lead the Detroit Police Department."
Hear from Chief James White at the press conference announcing Bettison in the video below
According to his profile on the city's website, Bettison started with DPD in 1994 as a patrol officer, was promoted within five years to sergeant and then lieutenant. He scored the highest of any candidate in the department on the promotional exam, according to the city. He was appointed deputy chief in 2017.
Bettison has bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Wayne State and a graduate business certificate from the university. He also graduated from Eastern Michigan's School of Police Staff and Command and Oakland University's Six Sigma/Lean Management Certification - Green Belt Program.
Hear from Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan in the video below
Darryl Woods, the chair of the Detroit Board of Police Commissioners, said they will conduct a national search for the full-time chief, but joked during the press conference that "we'll see if there's anybody better" than Bettison.
According to Woods, they have already started the search and have organized a special committee to identify a search firm, and once they identify a search firm, they will interview candidates who are selected.
"It's going to be a fair, open and transparent process where citizens of the city of Detroit will see everything that we do because we'll do it in a public forum and a righteous forum," Woods said.
