Detroit police ordered to salute Mayor Kilpatrick

By Darren A. Nichols / The Detroit News

The Detroit News

Officers on security detail who do not salute Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick face disciplinary action.

Hail to the chief Police officers stationed outside of Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick's home have been ordered to salute him, reviving a 30-year-old rule. Is this a good idea?

DETROIT -- Officers stationed outside Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick's home on the northwest side are now ordered to salute him. Police cars stand guard at Kilpatrick's Leslie Street home 24 hours a day. The mayor and his family haven't yet moved into the official residence, the Manoogian Mansion, because it's under renovation.

Insp. Oscar Dixon of the 6th Precinct said in a memo that officers will be disciplined if they don't follow the 30-year-old, rarely used rule.

"Effective immediately," the directive reads, "all members assigned to the security detail at the mayor's residence, upon seeing Mayor Kilpatrick exit his home or vehicle, shall get out of their patrol vehicle with your hat on and render a hand salute."

Salutes to elected officials typically are reserved for the president of the United States, who also is the nation's commander in chief. Kilpatrick spokesman Jamaine Dickens said the order didn't come from the mayor's office. He added that the rule "was there for Coleman Young and Dennis Archer. It should be there for Kwame Kilpatrick."

Said Marty Bandemer, president of the 3,000-member Detroit Police Officers Association: "I don't recall ever having to salute Coleman Young or Dennis Archer while I was in uniform. (Kilpatrick) should be grateful he's got security."

-- Anonymous, September 06, 2002