ANN ARBOR, MI - Michael Cox, Ann Arbor’s chief of police, has been placed on paid administrative leave.

City Administrator Howard Lazarus confirmed the news in a Saturday, Feb. 8 email.

City Council Member Ali Ramlawi, D-5th Ward, said the leave is expected to last two weeks. Jane Lumm, I-2nd Ward, said she talked with Lazarus about the circumstances behind Cox’s leave, but could not yet reveal details. Ramlawi and Lumm serve as liaisons to the city’s Independent Community Police Oversight Commission, which was established last year.

Lisa Jackson, police oversight commission chair, said Cox’s leave was due to a “personnel matter” after speaking with council members. She added that she and the oversight commission are otherwise “in the dark at this point.”

The Ann Arbor News/MLive has filed a Freedom of Information Act request for city records related to Cox being placed on administrative leave.

After three decades with the Boston Police Department, Cox was appointed Ann Arbor Police chief last summer after a unanimous City Council vote July 1, 2019. His starting salary was $160,000.

“I would love to (comment),” Cox said in a message, “but this is not the appropriate time.”

Lazarus recommended Cox for the position in June after interviews with three finalists.

Deputy Chief Jason Forsberg will serve in Cox’s place.

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