Evans Replacing Barren at Detroit PD

DETROIT (WJBK) - An unexpected changing of the guard at Detroit Police headquarters. Detroit Police Chief James Barren is out of a job and another familiar figure, Wayne County Sheriff Warren Evans, will be taking over.

Use the video player on the left to watch this report and FOX 2's Brad Edwards' interview with former Deputy Chief Gary Brown.

"Everybody's just really shocked. Kind of caught off guard," Detroit Police Officer John Bennett told FOX 2. He is saying what many rank and file within the department are feeling. They just learned Mayor Dave Bing fired Barren after only ten months on the job.

"Mayor Bing broke his promise. He told us he was going to keep Chief Barren and he went back on his promise," Bennett said. He is one officer who isn't afraid to speak his mind.

Bennett, too, was fired from Detroit Police back in 2003 for a controversial Web site bashing former Police Chief Jerry Oliver. He was hired back in February 2008 and sworn-in by Chief Barren.

"I can't think of one reason why you would need to fire him," said Bennett.

Barren's last day will be July 6. FOX 2 has learned Wayne County Sheriff Warren Evans will take over as top cop.

The question is why. Some within department tell FOX 2 Barren's termination could be a result of how the department has handled Detroit's recent rash of shootings. The most notable last Tuesday's bus stop shooting.

"I would like to know why, but I can't imagine you'd fire him over that incident," Bennett said.

Gary Brown, who won a multi-million dollar lawsuit against the city for his wrongful termination under the Kilpatrick administration says he's not surprised. With a new mayor usually comes a new chief.

"I have all the confidence in the world that Mayor Bing has come up with a plan and now he's looking for someone that will fit in executing the crime reducing strategy that Detroit so desperately needs," Brown said.

However, some feel resumes don't get better than James Barren. 31 years at Detroit Police, street experience and a psychologist. Officers, including Bennett, say Barren was well liked and morale was at an all-time high.

Apparently that wasn't good enough for Mayor Bing.

"I don't think you're going to find anybody, Warren Evans included, who could lead this department in the way that Chief Barren did," said Bennett.

FOX 2 did put in several calls to Mayor Bing. We did hear back from his spokesperson, who would not comment and told us there is no official announcement when it comes to Chief Barren.