Dearborn Heights Police Chief Jerrod Hart (left) said at the Nov. 28 City Council meeting that he was recently sidelined by a heart attack, eye surgery and an infected tooth, as Council Secretary Georganne Semeniuk and City Clerk Lynne Senia listen.
By SUE SUCHYTA
Times-Herald Newspapers
HEIGHTS – Police Chief Hart told the City Council Nov. 28 that his department “took a nose dive” when he was out on a recent medical leave.
“I was gone for several weeks,” he said. “I had a heart attack, I had an infected tooth and I had to have oral surgery, and I had cataract surgery less than two weeks ago, so my ‘check engine’ light came on hard.”
Hart said the Police Department is undergoing an organizational assessment.
“The mayor has challenged me to find ways where we can come together and move the department forward,” he said.
Hart said they have sought input from all Police Department employees, as well as from select community members, and key areas of focus have been identified: engagement, problem solving strategies, accountability and oversight systems, recruitment, hiring, retention and promotion practices, employee safety and wellness, organization learning and uniform practices, and internal and external safety issues.