Detroit Police Department hosting job fair Saturday

DPD looking to add 60 officers

DETROIT – For the first time in almost 10 years the Detroit Police Department is hosting a job fair Saturday to recruit a new class of officer.

The department is looking to add about 60 officers to the force of about 2,400.

Melvin Cushingberry says he sees more officers patrolling his west side neighborhood since Chief James Craig took charge.

Cushingberry says even more officers are needed on the streets to take back the city from criminals.

He says the bad guys know officers are stretched thin.

"There's not enough right now covering because there is different things going on. People can see it especially the older people," said Cushingberry.

But police sources tell Local 4 there is some concern about the quality of candidates the department will attract.

Detroit constantly ranks near the top of the list of the most dangerous cities in the country, but near the bottom when it comes to pay for officers.

The starting pay for a new recruit is around $30,000.

"Anybody deserves more if they are willing to leave their house, risk their life and go out here and be superman. But if that is what they choose to do, no amount should be a problem," said Detroit resident Kimberly Brooks.

Longtime Detroiter Ophelia Williams says she knows the city is financially strapped and maybe that's the best the city can offer.

"It depends on how the city can get the money together because the city is in bad shape right now. I have never seen Detroit like it is now," said Williams.