(MEMPHIS) — A small southeastern Michigan community is trying to figure out what’s next in its effort to reopen its troubled police department. Stanley Muszynski, a retired Shelby Township Police Department lieutenant, informed officials in Memphis via email Tuesday he didn’t have the time needed to dedicate to being the next chief. He was scheduled to be sworn in on Monday. Kevin Sommers, the former chief for the small city bordering St. Clair and Macomb counties, died January 1 of complications from a surgery. He had been hired to deal with long-standing issues at the department, including missing firearms, police radios and evidence. Also, an investigation by the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department that was done at Sommers’ request alleged two officers falsified a police report. Reports say the new chief will be paid between $36,000 and $39,000 a year. Eight part-time officers work for the department on a budget of around $165,000. The department has been suspended since late January and deputies from both St. Clair and Macomb counties have been patrolling the area.
