Detroit cops drop funeral escorts

DETROIT, Dec. 6 (UPI) -- Detroit police say they don't have the money or manpower to continue providing free escort for funeral processions.

Police Chief Ralph Godbee said the escorts are a drain on resources and the department will talk to funeral directors about charging families to cover the cost, The Detroit News reported Tuesday.

Phil Douma, director of the Michigan Funeral Directors Association, said there just aren't as many officers available.

Detroit was one of the last big cities to still offer the service. Atlanta, Miami, Minneapolis, Las Vegas and Los Angeles have also stopped providing escorts, except for funerals of police officers, firefighters or soldiers killed in battle, the newspaper said.