Ella Bully-Cummings facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ella M. Bully-Cummings
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|---|---|
| Born | 1958 (age 66–67) |
| Police career | |
| Department |  Detroit Police Department |
| Country |  United States |
| Allegiance |  State of Michigan |
| Years of service | 1977–2008 |
| Rank | Sworn in as an officer (1977) Sergeant (1987) Lieutenant (1993) Inspector (1995) Commander (1998) Assistant chief (2002) Chief of police (2003–2008) |
Ella M. Bully-Cummings (born in 1958) is an American police officer. She made history by serving as the chief of the Detroit Police Department from 2003 to 2008. She was the first woman to hold this important position.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Ella Bully-Cummings was born in Japan in 1958. She was the second of eight children. Her father was an African American repairman, and her mother was a Japanese American chef. They met when her father was serving in the U.S. Army in Japan.
Her family moved to Detroit, Michigan, when she was very young. This city became her father's adopted hometown.
While in high school, Ella worked at a movie theater. After graduating in 1977, she worked as an administrative assistant and also sold real estate.
She attended Henry Ford Junior High School and graduated from Cass Technical High School. Ella helped her parents pay for her siblings' education, even in her early years as a police officer. She went to college herself after helping five of her siblings with their schooling.
In December 1993, she graduated with honors from Madonna University. She earned a bachelor's degree in public administration. Later, in January 1998, she earned a law degree from Michigan State University College of Law. She became a sworn lawyer in May 1998.
Career in Law Enforcement
Ella Bully-Cummings joined the police academy in 1977. In the mid-1980s, many police officers were laid off due to budget cuts. During this time, she worked at the Detroit Free Press newspaper.
When she returned to the police force, she quickly rose through the ranks. She became a sergeant in 1987. Then, she was promoted to lieutenant in 1993 and commander in 1998.
In 1999, she briefly retired from the police department. She worked as a staff attorney for law firms, representing companies in employment cases.
In 2002, Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick asked her to return to the police force. She became an Assistant Chief of Police. This was a big step, as she was the first woman to be appointed to this role in Detroit. She was in charge of several important departments, including training and technology.
In 2003, the Chief of Police resigned. Ella Bully-Cummings was appointed as the interim chief. She officially became the permanent Chief of Police in 2004.
Under her leadership, the Detroit Police Department saw great success. In 2004, major crimes in Detroit were reduced more than they had been in 41 years. Violent crimes also dropped by a record 15.2%.
The Detroit Police Department was under special supervision by a U.S. District Judge until 2008. This was due to an earlier investigation by the U.S. Justice Department.
During her time as chief, the department went through some changes. About 150 police personnel were laid off as part of a plan to save money.
Retirement
On September 4, 2008, Ella Bully-Cummings announced her retirement. This happened shortly after Mayor Kilpatrick resigned from his position. She offered to help her successor with the transition to the role of Police Chief.
Awards and Recognition
Ella Bully-Cummings has received several honors for her work.
- In 2005, she received the "History Maker in the Making" Award from General Motors and Black Entertainment Television.
- She also received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Center for Women and Policing.
Personal Life
Ella Bully-Cummings is married to William Cummings, who is also a retired Detroit police commander. She was previously married to Warren Evans, who was a former Wayne County Sheriff and a former Detroit Police Chief.
