Mlive: Former Ann Arbor Police Chief Barnett Jones gets top police job in Flint

By Cindy Heflin Associate news director

Posted on Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 6:04 p.m.

Former Ann Arbor Police Chief Barnett Jones has been appointed public safety administrator for the city of Flint, MLive reported.

Jones, who retired from the Ann Arbor force on April 1, will make $135,000 with limited benefits, according to the report. He made $126,500 in Ann Arbor and is eligible for a pension from the city.

Barnett Jones

Jones’ departure from Ann Arbor came after he had been pressured in recent city budget cycles to make deep cuts to the police department. He expressed frustration about that and repeatedly told City Council members he couldn't afford to lose any more police officers.

Jones, who has been in law enforcement for more than 37 years, came to Ann Arbor as chief of police in 2006 after serving as police chief in Sterling Heights.

He began his law enforcement career as a Wayne County sheriff's deputy and also worked for the Inkster Police Department and Oakland County Sheriff's Department.

Jones earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan and a master's degree from Eastern Michigan University.

Jones was appointed by Flint's emergency manager. As the city's top public safety official, he will oversee the police and fire departments.