Search Underway For New Detroit Police Chief

DETROIT (WWJ) - The Detroit Board of Police Commissioners have approved the hiring of two firms to search for a new police chief just weeks after the abrupt retirement of Ralph Godbee amid a sex scandal.

One firm will conduct the actual search while the other with assess the candidate. Why two firms?

"It's somewhat of conflict of interest for one company to do both the search and also the assessment, because you have greater transparency," said Police Commission Chair Rev. Jerome Warfield.

Warfield said the cost for both firms should be around $60,000.  He said it will hopefully be paid for, at least in part, by the a public safety foundation.

Once a group of candidates have been selected the mayor will choose one, but his choice is subject to approval by the Detroit City Council.  The search is expected to take up to 90 days.

The new chief will replace Ralph Godbee Jr., who retired last week amid a sex scandal involving an affair with an internal affairs officer. Assistant Chief Chester Logan has taken over as interim chief.

The new chief is expected to be paid an annual salary of $85,700 to $140,500.