Emergency Manager Michael Stampfler has eliminated the Pontiac Police Department and, starting August 1, 2011, Oakland County Sheriff's deputies will begin patrolling the City of Pontiac.  The goal of the transition is to save the City of Pontiac money, since it has been dealing with a deficit each year.  About 4 years ago, the city had approximately 180 police officers, but that number has since been reduced to about 50 police officers.

Mr. Stampfler was appointed as Pontiac's Emergency Manager on March 19, 2009.  The appointment of an Emergency Manager is authorized by Public Act 4 of 2011.  This Act allows an Emergency Manager to eliminate staff, in order to improve the financial condition of a city.  The Act is controversial due to the authority it grants for the uniform modification or elimination of contracts, including employee bargaining group contracts.