DEARBORN HEIGHTS (WWJ) — Turmoil is brewing among city leaders in Dearborn Heights as they clash over who will run the police department.
Mayor Bill Bazzi has recently come under fire from the police union and members of the City Council for what they allege are improper hiring practices in the department.
Bazzi is accused of hiring two deputy police chiefs from outside the union, which the city's Supervisor's Association says was "in direct violation of its contract and Act 78 of the Police and Fire Service Commission," according to a report from CBS Detroit.
A subsequent post on Tuesday was another "clarification on police leadership" in which Bazzi said "I want to address some recent rumors circulating about the position of Police Chief in Dearborn Heights." The mayor said Farhat was sworn in as Deputy Chief, not Police Chief, "as some may have heard."
Bazzi noted the position of police chief is still open and the city is encouraging all qualified candidates to apply.
On Wednesday, a day after community members voiced concerns over the alleged demotion of Farhat during a City Council meeting, Bazzi shared screenshots of a press release from former Police Chief Jerrod Hart in which Hart addressed the council's "vote of no confidence" against him last January.
Bazzi has also been accused of demoting Hussein Farhat from Interim Police Chief to Deputy Chief. The mayor has responded to the controversy via Facebook multiple times this week, including a Monday post that says "to clarify any false narratives and misinformation, there has been NO recent firing, demotion, or investigation of our PD leadership team including the Interim Chief, Deputy Chief, or Director."
Hart, in the press release, made a number of allegations against the council, including "ticket fixing," misappropriation of taxpayer property, sexual harassment and other "instances of wrongdoing."
"I want to be clear, I do not seek to win this public body's confidence. They represent nothing which aligns with my high professional standards, ethics and integrity," his press release said.
In sharing that release Wednesday, Bazzi wrote, "as your Mayor, I am committed to moving our city forward in a positive direction—one built on integrity, transparency, and progress. We have worked hard to create an environment where honesty and collaboration thrive, and I will not allow us to return to a place of corruption or negativity."
