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Grosse Ile police chief signals retirement; commission agrees to pursue internal hiring and consult HR
Summary
Chief Doug Carmack outlined an exit timeline and transition plan; commissioners agreed to consult the township hiring authority about posting options and return with a formal recommendation at the next meeting.
Grosse Ile Police Chief Doug Carmack told the Grosse Ile Commission on July 15 that he intends to leave office and outlined a timeline for filling the position, and commissioners agreed to consult the township hiring authority about whether to post the opening internally.
Carmack said he had “spoken to MERS and the township. They’ve both said that I’m . . . good to leave on my date that I am,” and described a timeline aimed at having a board-named replacement in place by Dec. 1, if possible. He told the commission he intends to start the process soon and that timelines are “fluid.”
Why it matters: Commissioners said they want a planned, internal succession where possible to avoid disruption to police operations. The discussion addressed how an internal appointment could create a chain of openings (deputy chief, lieutenant) and whether the township should establish an eligibility list to speed hiring.
The commission expressed a preference for an internal search but did not take a formal vote. Members asked staff to consult “Derek,” described in the discussion as the hiring authority, about posting procedures and whether the township must approve posting externally or internally. Commissioner Scott volunteered to speak with Derek in the coming days; the commission agreed to return with a formal recommendation at the next meeting.
Commissioners and Chief Carmack discussed timing for applications and postings. One participant said the commission’s current draft timeline would open a posting around Sept. 1 and aim to have the board make a selection by its Nov. 10 meeting so the new chief could begin a transition period ahead of Carmack’s departure; participants described those dates as flexible. Carmack also recommended creating a nonbinding eligibility list so the department would not be left short if command-level moves trigger downstream vacancies.
Commissioners noted the operational impacts of promoting from within: it could create vacancies at lieutenant or sergeant levels and would require training and staggered transitions. The group said the selection process must follow the township’s established procedures and cited an internal reference to “67 10” regarding the structure of selection and recommendation (as discussed at the meeting). The commission did not direct staff to post or hire immediately; it recorded consensus to consult Derek and place the posting/selection question on the next meeting agenda for formal action.
The chief’s retirement and the hiring plan will return to the commission for a formal recommendation and vote. The commission also discussed creating a general, non-date-specific timeline (30, 60, 90 days, etc.) to guide future executive searches.
Less critical: Commissioners emphasized that any future millage or budget review related to staffing should be brought forward to ensure funding alignment with hiring plans.
