Detroit's police radio system breaks down

7/5/2013

DETROIT  — Detroit’s new police chief is dealing with his first major problem: A breakdown of the dispatch system.

Chief James Craig says the problem was not entirely fixed by the afternoon today, forcing officers to make reports of violent crime the top priority. Residents in non-emergencies were told to go to a police station and file a complaint.

Detroit has been tapping into the Michigan State Police dispatch system but it’s a short-term fix. Officers also have been using cellphones.

Craig began work Monday as the city’s police chief. He told reporters the dispatch problem shouldn’t have happened, and he’s promising accountability.