During the monthly meeting of the Receivership Transition Advisory Board (RTAB) held on Wednesday, August 12, 2015, a budget amendment reallocating funds to increase staffing in the Flint Police Department was approved. The resolution brought before the RTAB was passed by City Council during a special meeting held August 10 after being proposed by Mayor Dayne Walling. The budget amendment calls for the appropriation of General Fund Fire Department funds to the General Fund Police Department to support additional staffing. Funding in the amount of $323,127.00 will support the salaries, fringes and other related costs necessary to add an additional five police patrol officers to the Flint Police Department.
Mayor Walling identified the need for five additional officers during the City Council Committee of the Whole meeting held Monday, August 10, 2015. During a press conference held with members of the Flint Police Department and the Michigan State Police, Mayor Walling said the City would move forward with the plan as soon as the appropriate funding could be identified in the General Fund. “We have a responsibility to make sure every dollar we have can make a positive impact in our community,” Mayor Walling said. The City of Flint has been actively seeking to hire police officers to fill vacancies for some time and those efforts will continue as they look to hire more officers, including the possibility of sponsoring interested individuals through the police academy.
The call for more police officers comes in response to a two week period which saw 10 incidents totaling 11 homicide victims. Suspects are in custody in five of those cases with suspects in four others being sought. In one of the cases, a double homicide in which a one year old child and his seventy year old caregiver were shot and killed, police are asking for the public’s help in providing information. “When a one year old gets killed by gunfire, it’s time for the community to stand together,” said Mayor Walling.
Captain Collin Birnie of the Flint Police Department Criminal Investigation Bureau reminds residents that Crimestoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP would offer a reward for information leading to any felony arrest. Callers to either the Flint Police, Michigan State Police or Crimestoppers can choose to remain anonymous. The combined FPD & MSP Major Crimes Unit is continuing investigate all homicides in the City.
