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Council Seeks Updates On Detroit Police Chief Situation

DETROIT (WWJ/AP) — The search to replace ex-Detroit police chief Ralph Godbee came up Monday morning before the council's Public Health and Safety Standing Committee.

The City Council is expected to take up the issue next week.

Detroit Board of Police Commissioner's chair Jerome Warfield was asked to clarify the selection process Monday during the committee meeting and he reported two companies will be selected to search, one to conduct interviews and background checks, and the other to assess the candidates.

The ultimate selection is the right of Mayor Dave Bing, but he could decide to leave the interim chief in place.

"I would like to see the description of the candidate that we're looking for, that's No. 1," said Council President Pro Tem Gary Brown. "No. 2, I would like to see how the assessment center, the company that's going to create the assessment center, creates the testing that's going to be used."

Godbee was promoted to chief in 2010, but stepped down in October after details surfaced of a sexual relationship with a subordinate. Bing promoted Chester Logan to chief on an interim basis.

The Board of Police Commissioners selected firms to conduct a search for a new chief, but no money was immediately available in November from the city to move forward.

The search comes after Bing admitted he was disappointed by the Godbee situation.

"I got to know Chief Godbee well over his tenure and respected him as a person who was very involved in our community, respected in our community," Bing said. "It bothers me, it hurts me a great deal that it has come to this. I worry about him as a person and hope that he is able to get on with his life."

In his retirement letter, Godbee touted his 25-year career, never mentioning the scandal that ensnared him at the end.

"As many of you know, retirement is only another way to say transition," Godbee wrote. "I always will be actively engaged in our community, our school system, our community colleges and our churches. My mission is to continue to work hard to make this city the best it can be."

The mayor hired Godbee two years ago after firing his predecessor Warren Evans, in part because of similar charges involving a subordinate, Lt. Monique Patterson.

Godbee also had a romantic relationship with Patterson before she began dating Evans and when she was Godbee's subordinate.

MORE: Detroit Police Chief Won't Discuss His Suspension

Detroit Police Say Godbee Is Not Resigning

Former Detroit Chief Explodes At Godbee Scandal

Detroit Police Chief Suspended Amid Allegations Of Improper Relationship

(TM and © Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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