Message From Chief Gross

Responding to Budget Reductions by Working Smarter

Budget shortfalls have necessitated a significant reduction in law enforcement officers within the City of Pontiac and have had an impact on our methods in which we provide police services. 

Numerically, a total of thirty-seven (37) Police Department personnel positions (twenty-four patrol officers and thirteen civilian) were eliminated from the FY05-06 budget. 

Operationally, the loss of these positions/personnel necessitated the elimination of key functions within the department:  elements of our highly recognized Community Policing Units have been deactivated, which included a crime prevention officer and our Frontline Police TV; an effective surveillance unit; Police Athletic League (P.A.L.) function; and officer positions that directly interfaced with Citizen's District Councils (CDC's).  Elimination of the police cadet program has resulted in a longer "wait" for citizens desiring to come into the station to file a police report.  Other elimination of administrative positions resulted in reduced hours of our Records Section and degraded response to telephone inquiries. 

Reductions were made within special units to ensure response to emergency calls would not be degraded.  The number of officers/units designated as "first responders" has not been reduced. 

The impact of these reductions will not affect our commitment to the citizens of Pontiac.  Today, no decision or commitment is made without first determining its financial impact as well as its impact on the safety of the citizens of Pontiac. 

Valard S. Gross
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