Flint’s Public Safety Director is resigning.
Alvern Lock submitted his resignation today.
Alvern Lock has overseen Flint’s police and fire departments since 2009, when he was appointed to the job by then-interim mayor Mike Brown. He submitted his letter of resignation to Mike Brown, just days before Brown himself will step down as Flint’s emergency manager. Flint’s new emergency manager starts next month. Brown will stay at city hall through the end of October.
Lock spent 23 years as a Flint police officer before retiring in 2006.
He was hired back to take over a public safety department racked by scandal. Former Public Safety Director Richard Dicks and his son, Flint police chief David Dicks, had been indicted on federal corruption charges.
Lock’s tenure coincided with budget problems that forced deep cuts in public safety spending, a rise in violent crime and a sharp increase in arson fires.
Still, Lock claims some successes, including the passage of a special millage to fund public safety and the reopening of the city jail.
Flint Mayor Dayne Walling issued a written statement on Lock's resignation:
"Chief Lock has been one of the hardest working leaders in Flint throughout his tenure. Chief Lock was tireless in his efforts to protect our community and enforce our laws despite extraordinary challenges. His legacy of professional service and personal sacrifice stands as an inspiration."
Lock's letter of resignation does not indicate when his final day on the job will be.
