Todd A. Bettison

Todd A. Bettison

Deputy Mayor, Detroit, MI

Speaker | 2023 Ideas Summit

Newly appointed, Deputy Mayor Todd A. Bettison oversees many aspects of city government and serves as a bridge to community leaders and activists across the political spectrum. The son of a Detroit school teacher of 38 years, Bettison comes to the position of Deputy Mayor following a distinguished 27-year career with the Detroit Police Department, that culminated in his elevation as second in command to Chief James White. In that role, he has overseen all aspects of the department’s community relations, as well as the administrative functions of DPD.

“Todd Bettison has a remarkable ability to work positively with every type of community group to improve the city,” Duggan said. His leadership of the Neighborhood Police Officer program was a major part of changing the way the Detroit Police Department relates to Detroiters.” Throughout his career at DPD, Bettison has been one of the fastest-rising members of the department. He first started with DPD in 1994 as a patrol officer. Within five years, he was promoted to the rank of sergeant and just one year later to the rank of lieutenant, each time scoring the highest of any candidate in the department. Bettison’s rapid rise continued as he was promoted to the ranks of Inspector, Captain, Commander, and eventually Deputy Chief in 2017.

Bettison holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Wayne State University in Criminal Justice and a Graduate Business Certificate from the Mike Ilitch School of Business. He is also a graduate of Eastern Michigan University’s Staff and Command and Oakland University’s Six Sigma/Lean Management Certification-Green Belt Program.

As Deputy Mayor, Bettison will fill in for Mayor Duggan if the mayor is incapacitated or otherwise unable to fulfill his duties. Given his extensive law enforcement background, Bettison will oversee all enforcement-related activities in the city, from police to blight enforcement and more.