DETROIT (WWJ) -- The city of Detroit is set to rename a Detroit Police Department building in honor of former Chief of Police and Wayne County Sheriff, Benny Napoleon, who died after a battle with COVID-19 in December 2020.
Mayor Mike Duggan, Police Chief James Craig and several other city officials announced on Wednesday plans for the Benny N. Napoleon Intelligence and Training Center, named in recognition of his "legendary work with Detroit's Gang Unit and his personal commitment to officer training."
Napoleon served three years as the city's chief of police before going on to become Wayne County Sheriff from 2009 until his death last year.
The building, at 1200 Oakman Boulevard, was purchased last year from Focus: Hope for $1 million and currently houses the department's Organized Crime and Gang Intelligence Units. A second building on the site will be renovated into a state-of-the-art training facility for officers to develop and sharpen their skills. Part of the building will also serve as a storage place for records the department has gathered over the years.
"Benny Napleon made an impact on our city and in law enforcement that few will ever match," Duggan said. "While his experience was vast, it was always major crimes – particularly gang related criminal activity – that he most sought to affect throughout his career at DPD and as Sheriff. Now, future generations of DPD officers will be reminded of his legacy, his contributions to the community and his commitment to this work every time they step into this building."
Napoleon joined DPD after graduating from Detroit Cass Technical High School in 1975 and served until 2001 when he retired as chief of police.
"I'm honored and thankful that Mayor Duggan and the members of City Council have decided to pay homage to my father in such a grandiose and public manner," Napoleon's daughter Tiffani Jackson said, per a press release. "This building would mean the world to him."
When Napoleon was an inspector in the late 1980s he was in charge of the gang squad, where he worked to not only reduce crimes, but establish community relationships.
"He and his team held meetings with neighborhood residents and pastors to work together to eliminate the potential for crime to happen in the first place," a press release says. "He spearheaded a partnership with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms to dismantle major gang operations including Latin Counts, Cobras, Young Boys Incorporated and Pony Down."
Craig said Napoleon will "forever be remembered for his outstanding leadership, exceptional service and sense of integrity.
"What better way to honor his memory and years of dedication than by renaming this facility after him? It will truly represent the legacy he brought to this department and the great city of Detroit," Craig said.
City Council President Brenda Jones enthusiastically supported the gesture of renaming the building in Napoleon's honor.
"Benny, as he was affectionately known by everyone he met, was the true essence of a Detroiter," Jones said. "It is only fitting that his legacy have a permanent presence in Detroit by the name Benny N. Napoleon being affixed to this brick and mortar building that represents his immovable faith in God and his strength as a leader."
