Overview
- Mary Sheffield announced on Dec. 16 that Todd Bettison will remain Detroit's police chief when she takes office.
- Bettison served as interim chief starting in October 2024 and was appointed permanently in February 2025 after City Council approval, following a 27-year DPD career and a 2022 role as deputy mayor.
- Sheffield cited steady leadership, a respected management style, and deep neighborhood ties, calling public safety her top priority.
- City officials highlighted declines in crime, noting nonfatal shootings fell 50% from 2022 to 2024 and carjackings dropped 71% since 2015, while Bettison says violent crime is at historic lows.
- Sheffield and Bettison said they plan to establish an Office of Gun Violence Prevention in partnership with community groups, with further details to come next year.