(CBS-DETROIT) – Some city leaders are considering it a dangerous situation after several critical positions within the city of Warren were left open.
“We’re going to be in a dangerous situation if we get this many police officers,” said Council Member Mindy Moore.
The first responder opened up the topic of conversation at a recent city council meeting.
The city has reportedly lost 21 police officers and nine dispatchers.
“Police officers had to replace dispatchers because we had a shortage of dispatchers,” Moore said during the council meeting.
According to Moore, the police department previously handled the recruitment of officers. She says the mayor sent it back to the city’s human resources department earlier this year.
Since then, she claims it has been a slow process.
“Our hiring practices are archaic. We don’t have online applications. We don’t advertise where we should, and the positions are not posted appropriately,” Moore added.
We reached out to the mayor of Warren for comment but have not heard back. The mayor did post a response to the recent city council meeting, adding that the city is currently seeking seven candidates.
“The Warren Police Department continues to review its hiring process and plans, and we continue to explore how technology makes us a more efficient department,” said Mayor Lori Stone.
Moore says the city has 175 officers, but there are about 150 of them. She says many officers are paid overtime to cover all emergencies, but worries about possible burnout.
“They may be a little slower on non-emergency issues if we have a major issue like a shooting, but people’s emergencies are being handled,” Moore said.
According to Moore, if hiring doesn’t pick up, the council may have to vote on a resolution to return the hiring to the police department.
Terell Bailey
