Inspector General Information

The 2012 City Charter ensured the Office of Inspector General would be established as independent of the Mayor's administration and City Council. The position was filled August 27, 2012 for a six year term ending September 2018 by James W. Heath, esq.

He is a former Assistant Attorney General to the State of Michigan in the Criminal Division. His areas of specialty have been with claims systems - Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency and prosecuting healthcare fraud cases. Prior to being with the State AG, he served as assistant prosecutor for Wayne County's Public Integrity Unit. You can find more information on the City of Detroit Inspector General page, and the online site for the Office of Inspector General.

Letter of Introduction

February 18, 2013 a letter of introduction was sent to public servants around the City of Detroit. This follows a February 11 article announcing "Detroit Has A New Watch Dog" in the Michigan Chronicle.

As stated in the article the location of the Office of Inspector General is not at Coleman A Young Municipal Center to ensure employees have better access to speaking with the Inspector General anonymously, without fear of observation or retribution. The staff of forensic auditors, investigators, and attorneys currently is five strong and is likely to grow five more.

The office location is at 65 Cadillac Square, Suite 3210, Detroit MI 48226 [map]. Phone 313-628-2517, and hours are 8am-4pm Monday-Friday. There is a COMPLAINT HOTLINE 313.964.TIPS (8477), and email can be sent to oig@detoig.org 

ARTICLE 7.5.
INDEPENDENT DEPARTMENTS and OFFICES
CHAPTER 3.
OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL 

You can read the section from the 2012 City Charter online, or from a download. Commentary in the charter for this section reads:

The Office of Inspector General is a new addition to the Charter. The citizen's call for a government free from corruption and unethical practices, led to the establishment of an office dedicated to eliminating waste, fraud, abuse and corruption. The Office of the Inspector General is intended to move the City of Detroit toward efficient government, particularly when coupled with several other Charter revisions which address the conduct of elected officials, City employees and those that do business with the City. While not a panacea, taken collectively with these other measures, the Office of the Inspector General is expected to have a positive impact on City government.

A "kicker card" which gives an introduction to the job of Detroit's Inspector General and how to contact is also available  (see below).

2 sides as one