DETROIT (WWJ) — Detroit Police Chief James White has applied for a new job, and he says if he gets it, he would step down from his current position.
White confirmed to WWJ on Wednesday he has applied to be the CEO of the Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network, a non-profit that serves those in Detroit and the surrounding areas with mental health illnesses.
In a statement he sent to WWJ, White called it "an extremely important role at a critical time for Detroit and Wayne County."
"We continue to have a mental health crisis in our community that needs to be addressed at multiple levels," White said. "I look forward to a competitive process and want to respect the process by not saying anything further at this time."
As the process continues, White said he is "fully committed" to continue serving as Detroit's police chief, a role he has held since June 2021 when he took over for former chief James Craig.
White, a Detroit native and graduate of Wayne State and Central Michigan University, is a licensed mental health counselor.
He has discussed at length a number of times the importance of mental health resources as the department has responded to record levels of mental health-related calls during his time as chief.
Over the last two years DPD has rolled out an overhaul of its Crisis Intervention Team, designed to help combat the growing mental health crisis without having to use lethal force.
DWIHN currently has an interim CEO, Manny Singla, after Eric Doeh stepped down from the role in June.
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