Detroit Police Chief Signs Order To Beef Up Reserve Force

Police Chief Requires Applicants To First Serve As Volunteers

Detroit -- Police Chief Ralph Godbee, faced with the prospect of fewer officers because of the city's financial crisis, has taken the rare step of implementing a special order requiring anyone applying for a job with the Police Department to first serve as a volunteer reserve.

The city's 2012-13 budget, which takes effect when the fiscal year begins on July 1, will slash $75 million -- or 18 percent -- from the police department's $414 million budget, resulting in the elimination of 380 positions from the force of about 2,600 through attrition and early retirement.

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