Mayor-Elect Mary Sheffield Announces the Reappointment of Police Chief Todd A. Bettison
Sheffield is committed to building an administration that prioritizes the safety of Detroiters
DETROIT – Mayor-elect Mary Sheffield announced the reappointment of Chief Todd A. Bettison to continue serving as Detroit’s Chief of Police, reaffirming his decades-long commitment to community safety and trust. Under Bettison’s leadership, Detroit has seen record drops in violent crime. Homicides are the lowest they’ve been in decades, nonfatal shootings have been cut in half between 2022 and 2024, and Carjackings have fallen 71% since 2015.
Mayor-Elect Sheffield and Chief Bettison share a commitment to launch the first Office of Gun Violence Prevention while working with grassroots partners to ensure Detroiters are meaningfully engaged in shaping public-safety solutions. More details about the office will be released in the new year.
“There’s nothing more important to the community and me as mayor than improving public safety,” said Mayor-elect Sheffield. “It’s rare to have a Chief of Police who has the respect of their peers, the loyalty of the rank and file, and the hearts and trust of the people. That is precisely what we have in Chief Bettison, who brings with him nearly 3 decades of service to our great City as a member of the Detroit Police Department.”
Mayor-elect Sheffield is reappointing Chief Bettison because of his steady leadership, respected management style and extensive ties within Detroit neighborhoods. Prior to being named Chief of Police in February 2025, Bettison had a distinguished 27-year career at the Detroit Police Department, retiring as First Assistant Chief of Police—the second-highest-ranking member of the department—before accepting the position of Deputy Mayor in 2022.
“It is an honor to be selected by Mayor-elect Mary Sheffield to continue serving as the Detroit Police Chief under her administration,” Chief Bettison said. “During my time as chief, I have had the pleasure to work hand in hand with our Mayor-elect to keep the citizens of Detroit safe. Over the past year, the Detroit Police Department has witnessed violent crime continue to drop to historic lows in the city—and I am confident we will close out 2025 with even more historic low violent crime levels. My goal for the city in the years to come is to continue our efforts in pushing crime down, while enhancing overall public safety for all of our neighborhoods. I am excited that Madam Mayor Elect Sheffield is giving me another opportunity to continue to work in making Detroit one of the safest cities in America and I know with her guidance and support, this goal will become a reality.”
To learn more about Rise Higher Detroit, please visit www.risehigherdetroit.com.
About Rise Higher Detroit
Rise Higher Detroit, the official transition initiative of Mayor-elect Mary Sheffield, aims to be the boldest and most inclusive engagement effort in Detroit’s history. The transition will help develop an official Transition Action Plan—a roadmap that reflects the voices, values, and aspirations of Detroiters. Together, we will help Mayor-Elect Sheffield realize her vision of an administration built on the voices and priorities of the people.
No public or campaign dollars are being used to fund the activities of the Rise Higher Detroit transition committee. The Mayor-elect and Detroit’s philanthropic community have collaborated to create a fund, established at the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan and supported by a variety of foundations and other civic institutions, to fund transition efforts, including community engagement and talent acquisition.