Southfield Deputy Police Chiefs Nick Loussia and Brian Bassett have been selected as the Acting Police Chiefs by City Administrator Fred Zorn beginning on September 7, 2018.

The city of Southfield is currently conducting a comprehensive national search to fill the vacant Chief of Police position since the resignation of former Chief Eric Hawkins. While the chief recruitment process continues, the Southfield Police Department will be directed by two highly qualified and experienced Acting Chiefs: Nick Loussia who will oversee the Investigations Division and Brian Bassett who will direct the Patrol Division.

“The Southfield Police Department continues to function extremely efficiently under the direction of these very competent Acting Chiefs while a national search remains active,” commented City Administrator Fred Zorn. “We hope to be able to name a new permanent Police Chief as quickly as possible; however, in the interim the department will provide the same excellent public safety services and programs to our community.”

Acting Chief Loussia was sworn in as a police officer with the Southfield Police Department in 1991. During the course of his career, Acting Chief Loussia has been assigned to various positions throughout the department. He was assigned to the Directed Patrol Unit and to the Special Entry and Response Team in the Patrol Division, he was assigned as a Detective in the Court Services Section and he served as a Detective assigned to the department’s Criminal Surveillance Unit in the Investigations Division. He has also served as the Commander of the Downtown Station and as the Coordinator of the Special Operations Division. Prior to being promoted, Acting Chief Loussia served as the department’s Homeland Security Coordinator and as the department’s spokesperson. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 2001, promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in 2004, and promoted to the rank of Deputy Chief on June 16, 2014. Acting Chief Loussia is a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) National Academy, the FBI/LEEDA Command Institute for Police Executives and Eastern Michigan University’s School of Police Staff and Command.

Born and raised in the city of Southfield, Acting Chief Brian Bassett attended Southfield Public Schools and joined the department’s Cadet program in 1998. A year later, he was sworn in as a police officer with the Southfield Police Department. As an officer, he was assigned to the Patrol Division serving as a Field Training Officer and an In-service Instructor. Promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 2009, he served as the Patrol Administration Sergeant acting as the department legal liaison, grant coordinator, Traffic Investigation and Animal Control unit supervisor. Promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in 2014, he was selected as the Patrol Division Coordinator. In that role, he served as the Commander of the downtown station and the following units: Tactical Crime Suppression, Traffic, Training, Community Policing and Patrol Administration. On March 17, 2017, Acting Chief Bassett was promoted to Deputy Chief. He remains the Commander of the Patrol Division including all field services, Community Policing and Training. Acting Chief Bassett holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Wayne State University and is a graduate of both Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) National Academy.

The Southfield Police Department provides a full range of quality public safety services which include marked and unmarked patrol units, a well-trained Investigative staff, and outstanding Crime Prevention services. The department has been honored for outstanding service award from the Michigan Chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, the Outstanding Crime Prevention Award by the Michigan Crime Prevention Association, and by the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police for its outstanding community policing programs.

Southfield Police Officers are supported by the latest technology and equipment available. Computers are installed in all marked patrol units to provide faster access to vital information about suspects, victims and addresses in and around the city of Southfield. The radio system represents an important improvement in the speed and efficiency of the department’s communication technology. Further, the Police Department have instituted a FAX Network for local businesses and private police. This system is designated to share crime prevention and other information with the private sector in a timely manner. The department has installed a computerized arrest photo system, fingerprint system, computer aided dispatch and records management system. The Southfield Police Department is continuously adding new technology and crime fighting strategies to their existing police concepts to remains a leader in law enforcement and policing.