Reaction to Chief Warren Evans Sudden Departure

DETROIT - Detroit Police Chief Warren Evans resignation stunned many City Council members, and many of them are also disappointed.

City Council members met with former Chief Warren Evans a couple of hours before the shoe dropped on his surprising resignation.

"I was floored. I thought maybe that the person that told me was joking because he just became the police chief," said City Council President Charles Pugh. "It appeared that he had not resigned when he was at the council table. So, the fact that he is now officially resigned appears that it's not a resignation. But, I'm not hear to second guess the mayor. That's the mayor's job to hire and fire as he sees fit."

Council Member Gary Brown is a former deputy police chief for Internal Affairs.

"Absolutely surprised. A few hours ago, we had a meeting with the chief, Warren Evans. A very good meeting with the monitor from the consent decree, and there was no indication when he left the meeting that he would be resigning. So, I'm shocked," he said.

Evans was involved in a reality TV pilot that may have angered Mayor Dave Bing and his staff.

Council member James Tate is a former media spokesman for the police department.

"I saw parts of the pilot today for the first time, and it was a bit interesting. I don't think it was the best decision to make in doing that without consulting with your boss first, but Chief Evans is a very media savvy individual," he said.

The council members all expressed concern about bringing stability to the police department now looking at its third chief in just over a year.

"If this was a decision from the administration to ask him to resign instead of firing him, then I can't second guess that. That's a decision I have to respect whether I agree with it or not," Pugh said.

What do you think about Evans' sudden depature from the police department?  Add your thoughts in the comments section below: