Police union says department is understaffed, low on morale; council approves new captain position

The Dearborn Heights Police Officers Association urged the city council on Oct. 14 to address staffing shortfalls and morale in the police department, saying the force has shrunk and promotional pathways have been limited under the previous administration.

Brian Sneer, introduced in the meeting as president of the Dearborn Heights Police Officers Association, told the council officers are "severely understaffed, under supported, and too often undervalued." Sneer said staffing had fallen from about 51 patrol officers and 29 supervisors roughly five years ago to roughly 39 patrol officers and 21 supervisors at the time of his remarks. "That reflects a 25% decrease in departmental personnel," he said.

Sneer also described reductions in overtime opportunities and delays in promotions. "There are currently two lieutenants who have been handling the job duties of a captain going on over 5 months now," he said, and said promotions had been stalled. The union president said bargaining over a new union contract had not proceeded in good faith and that overtime reductions in a chronically understaffed department were making work conditions dangerous.

Council action: The council approved an administrative staffing change in the police department that adds one additional captain position (salary noted in the agenda packet) and removes a director support services position. The motion was moved by Councilman Hassan Saab, seconded by Councilman Tom Wenzel, and passed by voice vote.

Chief's update: Police Chief Hyder (Chief Hyder) told the council the department had recently been awarded a three-year grant to fund nine police officer positions; he said the grant will be brought forward for council approval with the comptroller to set the implementation details. "As of yesterday we were awarded a grant to hire nine police officers in the city of Dearborn Heights," Hyder said; he did not give a dollar figure in the meeting.

Why it matters: Council members acknowledged recruitment and retention problems and said restoring staffing and morale are priorities. Several council members praised officers and called for time to allow the new administration to assess finances and move on hiring and retention steps.

Ending: The council approved the captain position and directed staff to bring grant details and implementation steps back to the council. Council and union leaders said they expect further briefings on staffing and contract negotiations.