The Detroit Free Press
Chesterfield Township, Mich. (AP) — Hiring minority officers in the all-white force is a must in this Macomb County community where a cross burning occurred days ago, said the Chesterfield Township police chief.
“How can I deal with a race complaint when all our officers are white?” Steve Robbins, 49, told the Detroit Free Press for a Friday story. He said he was worried some may believe his department may not be fully equipped to handle such an incident.
“If there’s even the smallest perception of that, I want to deal with it,” said Robbins, a Miami native who, as an officer on that city’s force, dealt with race riots and gang wars.
The FBI and local authorities have launched an investigation into the Wednesday incident that occurred in front of the home of a mixed-race couple in Chesterfield Township.
Jason Halliburton, who is black, found remnants of the cross on his front lawn. A racial slur was also spray-painted on the home.
Robbins said hiring minorities for the force, which has 46 officers, is now a top priority. The department had a black officer on staff years ago.
His efforts are being praised by those who say the county has too long been racially divided.
“He’s not under any lawsuit, court order or injunction,” said Gregory Murray of the Macomb County Ministerial Alliance. “His proactivism is genuine.”
But not everyone is pleased.
“I don’t see why we need it,” said Tony Rea, a 79-year-old resident of the subdivision where the cross was burned.
“That’s what’s wrong with this country,” Rea said. “I’m tired of everyone saying who we need to hire.”