BY AMBER HUNT MARTIN
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER
Detroit Police Chief Ella Bully-Cummings was found in contempt of court Tuesday for failing to put four inspectors and three commanders back to work as ordered by a Wayne County Circuit Court judge.
Meanwhile, in another courtroom, Circuit Judge Susan Borman halted demotions and layoffs proposed by the city’s Fire Department -- part of a restructuring plan that, like the one enacted by Bully-Cummings, was meant to trim millions from the city budget.
Together, the plans are meant to save $28 million in taxpayer money.
Borman ordered arbitration for the Fire Department and its unions. Until then, she said, the department may not eliminate battalion chiefs, close firefighting companies or lay off firefighters. The department’s plan called for the layoffs of 65 firefighters and the demotions of 10 fire chiefs.
In finding Bully-Cummings in contempt, Judge Isidore Torres told the chief she has until Friday to reinstate the seven command officers, who were among 18 given the option in September of accepting a demotion or retiring as part of the restructuring plan.
Days after the police demotions, Torres said they violated an order he issued last year that bars the city from unilaterally reducing the pay or rank of commanders and inspectors.
Police spokesman James Tate wouldn’t say whether the chief plans to comply or appeal the order.
“The chief has until Friday,” he said.
Detroit Free Press (http://www.freep.com/)