Detention officers tell Detroit council staffing shortfalls and pay are driving departures

Several employees from the Detroit Detention Center used the council’s public-comment period on Sept. 9 to press the City Council for help with staffing and pay after the city resumed operation of the facility.

"We are very underpaid, and severely understaffed," said Tywan Durham, a senior detention officer, who urged the council to review compensation and staffing because "we're losing people in droves." Richard Bass, another detention-center employee, said the city saved money after taking operations back from the state yet civilian staff remain paid far less than others and the facility has already lost 11 employees since August.

Marcus Reid, who also identified himself as a senior detention facility officer, echoed the pay discrepancy concern and asked council members to visit the facility to see staffing impacts for themselves. Council staff asked for contact information so the administration and Detroit Police Department could follow up.

Council members did not take immediate formal action during the meeting but acknowledged the comments and requested staff follow-up to connect DPD and relevant departments with the callers for more information.

The employees’ remarks focused on near-term operational risk: multiple speakers warned that losing staff undermines safety and the facility’s ability to function. Council staff invited speakers to provide contact information so the council could facilitate departmental outreach and receive an update from DPD.

The council did not adopt a motion or a formal remedy during the session; staff follow-up and committee referral were offered as next steps.