Grosse Ile police warn of summer staffing gaps, outline equipment upgrades and discuss bridge traffic plans

GROSSE ILE, Mich. — At its March 18 meeting the Grosse Ile Police Department told the Police Commission it expects multiple staffing shortages through the summer because of planned leave, worker's-comp absences and other vacancies, and described short-term steps and longer-term hiring plans to cover patrol and investigative duties.

The department said Detective/DEA assignments are shifting: Officer Tyler Blackman will take a DEA task force position and the department will temporarily reassign staff to cover road patrol while security-clearance processing (four to six months) completes. The department told the commission it will rely on reassignments, overtime and supervisory coverage to maintain service levels while it recruits replacements.

Why it matters: Commissioners emphasized that summer vacation bids plus planned leaves could create multiple simultaneous absences that increase demands on the chief and deputy chief and reduce patrol capacity. Commissioners and staff framed the issue as operational (scheduling and coverage) rather than a policy change; they asked the department to continue projecting staffing week by week and to include the commission when staffing shortfalls could affect public response times.

Key operational details discussed - Current shortages and coverage: The department identified multiple officers on FMLA or workers'comp and at least one recent resignation; the department will temporarily move DEA assignees back onto road patrol and use detectives and command staff to fill gaps. - Scheduling and vacation bidding: The deputy chief said summer vacation bids have been plotted and scheduling is projected roughly six months at a time; commissioners asked for a week-by-week overlay of how many officers will be off during summer. - Training and onboarding: The department described a multi-step hiring process: a roughly 4'6-week application window, screening, administrative interviews, background checks, conditional offers with psych/medical exams, and field training. The department estimated some FTO tasks could be one to three months while the full onboarding process may take around six to eight months depending on experience and scheduling. - DEA clearance timing: Security-clearance processing for task-force assignments was described as taking about four to six months.

Equipment and facilities - Generator replacement: Township engineers have inspected building wiring and the department said it expects to replace its 33-year-old generator with an 80-kilowatt unit. Staff said the work is under specification review to ensure the new unit matches the building's needs. - In-car laptops and IT: The department plans to reduce the number of in-car laptops to about six or seven units and expects to solicit a price quote from its IT contractor; staff warned hardware costs are rising. The department said funding for the generator and laptop purchases will come from non-operating sources: one from forfeiture funds and one from cell-tower revenue, not from the department's base budget.

Public safety metrics and reserve program - Monthly blotter numbers (February): Calls for service: 495 total; incoming dispatch calls: 437; 911 calls: 117. Traffic enforcement: 111 traffic stops, 13 uniform law citations, 1 parking ticket, 39 notices to appear, 69 verbal warnings and 20 notices. Reports: 11 reports filed, 9 FOIA requests, 5 accidents and 1 felony arrest (noted to be proceeding to court). Animal-control calls: 33. - Detective bureau and reserve volunteers: The department assigned 12 cases to the detective bureau (eight closed, four active). Reserve officers logged 27 hours and assisted at events including the Rock the Rock Run and conducted vacation checks.

Community concerns and bridge traffic Resident Greg Carmerson asked whether planned closures on the Wayne County Parkway bridge and related maintenance will be factored into staffing and traffic-control plans. He suggested Wayne County or Riverview provide a visible law-enforcement presence at the plaza during closures (even an unmanned vehicle with lights) to calm traffic.

The department said it has purchased barricades and signage and can deploy cycling lights and additional patrols; officers and command staff periodically assist with traffic control at the bridge during peak times. Department staff noted the first week of a closure is typically the most disruptive and that officers and residents both bear the toll/payment burden when crossing for work.

Medical response and first-responder role Members of the public and commissioners discussed whether a paramedic assignment or other medical response changes would help reduce workload on officers handling medical calls. The department noted officers routinely provide first-response care (CPR, AED, mechanical CPR device) and partner with fire/EMS for advanced care; the commission said it will collect ideas but did not adopt any change at the meeting.

No formal policy changes or budget appropriations were adopted; commissioners asked staff to continue reporting staffing projections and to return with options if sustained coverage gaps appear.