John Bennett ready to make waves (air waves, that is)

Detroit Police Officer John Bennett has been making waves ever since he took to the Internet in a big way to call attention to the problems he saw with former Chief Jerry Oliver. That exercise in free speech cost Bennett his job — at least until the courts ordered that he be reinstated. Along the way, Bennett changed the name of his blog to DetroitUncovered (from Firejerryo), became an outspoken critic of the Kwame Kilpatrick administration and made an unsuccessful run for City Council last year.

Still on the police force, and still using his blog to keep close tabs on Detroit’s newest police chief (Warren Evans) and other issues of import, Bennett will be taking to the airwaves this Saturday to launch a weekly one-hour program on radio station WCHB-1200 AM.

For those of you unfamiliar with his website, it’s a place where a lot of insider scuttlebutt gets slung around, and the feet of public officials regularly get put to the fire. One thing for sure, Bennett isn’t shy about expressing his opinions. It’s an attitude he intends to carry over onto his radio program, which will air from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.

“My slogan is, ‘Give it to ’em straight with no chaser,’” Bennett says. “I haven’t pulled any punches in the past, and I don’t intend to start now.”

The format of the show will allow for listener calls, and Bennett, who will be working alongside radio vet Harold Sullivan, says he’s looking forward to a freewheeling exchange of views.

Sounds like fun.