New Team in Charge of DPS Security

A new team is in charge of security and safety at Detroit Public Schools. Both are veteran Detroit Police officers, and one of them is speaking exclusively to FOX 2.

There code names as Detroit Police officers were "Doc" and "The Dragon". The fought crime on the streets of Detroit for a combined 56 years.

In June, Roderick "The Dragon" Grimes was named chief of Public Safety for Detroit Public Schools. Now, Dennis "Doc" Richardson is the next executive deputy chief.

"A critically important job to provide a safe environment for our kids, but also a safe environment for the teachers and the administrators. We have teachers who work hard... who want to impart wisdom to our children and it's important that we provide a safe work environment for them," Richardson said.

Chief Grimes says gathering intelligence is critical in preventing and solving crimes, such as shootings near Cody Ninth Grade Academy last week where seven teens, five of them summer school students, were wounded.

"We're able to squash a lot of things that may escalate into something like what happened at Cody 9," Grimes said.

The lawmen say they have a motivated force to keep the schools safe and secure. "What we hope to bring is a more professional team and the team concept of putting together ideas that will work and ensure that the school district is safe," said Grimes.

Grimes and Richardson also say they have a seasoned force. "I think about 70-percent of them have prior police experience, many of them from Detroit. They're dedicated. They stay in the city. They like the city. They have a wealth of knowledge," Richardson said.

"Between the two of us, combine our knowledge and experience and I think we can make a difference," said Grimes.

The new safety team may already be making a difference. Wednesday, they arrested a youth suspected of firing a shot near Osborn High School earlier this week and Tuesday night they nabbed two thieves stealing copper from the school.