New Executive board member focused on improvements for better retention, recruitment
— By Jennifer Gomori, POJ Editor
When Oak Park Department of Public Safety Lt. Joe Meier saw that his department would benefit from having a K9 unit, he made it his mission to see it through.
“I started the K9 unit in our place eight years ago,” Meier said. “All throughout my career I kept pushing and pushing and tried to get the K9 Unit. Then I got promoted to Sergeant in 2015 and we implemented the K9 unit.”
Meier is sharing that same persistence to make improvements as a newly-appointed POLC/GELC Executive Committee member. He filled a board vacancy in June 2024 created after Committee member Troy Taylor retired from Oak Park Department of Public Safety.
The 46-year-old has been a POLC member for the past eight years, since joining the Oak Park Public Safety’s Local Command Union. Hired by the department in 2000, he got his start in labor relations early on, serving as the Police Officers Local Union Steward for four years.
“I joined the POLC when I was promoted to Sergeant in 2015, and I have been extremely happy working with the POLC in every aspect which also led me to get more involved. I joined the (Local Command) board in 2018. I was Vice President, then I became President when Troy Taylor retired in the last two months,” Meier said in July 2024.
Meier became more engaged in the Union for multiple reasons, he said, including “… protecting and keeping benefits for officers, always making things better for current officers, and attracting new officers. Making sure the officers have protection for the legal side of it is also another reason to be involved in the Union.”
The transition to the Executive Committee seemed like the next logical step to help current and future Union members statewide.
“I worked on the (Command) Local Union board with Troy for many years. When he was an Executive board member, he told me what it entailed,” Meier said, adding that Taylor helped him prepare for the new role. “I wanted to be involved in retaining the benefits and retaining the officers we have now, but also with the hiring problems everyone is facing … making things better to attract new officers into the line of work.”
Meier has an associate’s degree in Criminal Justice from Schoolcraft College, a bachelor’s degree in Public Safety Studies from Siena Heights University, and is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University’s School of Police Staff and Command
He served on Oak Park’s Special Response Team from 2004 to 2010. As an Entry Team member, he was among those sent in first to execute search warrants and conduct police raids. “I did all of the less lethal and chemical munitions,” he said. “The chemical munitions people are brought in when there are barricaded people to deploy the tear gas and things like that.”
He worked as an FTO, Evidence Technician, and Detective before being promoted to Sergeant. In 2021, he was promoted to Road Patrol Lieutenant, a position he held until 2023.
“I’ve been in my current position for a year now … when I got moved up into the Administrative Lieutenant/Fire Marshal position,” he said in July.
Meier handles several responsibilities in his dual Command role while serving his fellow members as
Photo by Dave Millar, Photographic Impressions North Executive Committee member Joe Meier
‘Dedicated’ Cadet earns Weiler Award
— By Jennifer Gomori, POJ Editor
Oakland Community College Police Academy graduate Justin Bishop left a lasting impression on his instructors, who chose to honor him with the Richard R. Weiler Scholarship Award.
Bishop graduated May 23, 2024 in a class of 67 cadets. He was selected from 13 non-sponsored cadets for the $500 award.
The Richard R. Weiler Scholarship Award, sponsored by the POLC, is awarded twice yearly at the discretion of the college police academy to graduates who have not been sponsored by any police agency. Qualifying cadets must pass the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES) certification test and meet MCOLES employment standards to become certified Michigan Law Enforcement Officers.
Due to his strong overall performance, he graduated with a 93.54 percentile. “Justin received the award as he always maintained a high level of professionalism and was an extremely dedicated student,” said Oakland Police Academy Director David Ceci. “His performance over all areas of the academy — from academics to the hands on work — was of the highest level. He definitely stood out while at the academy.”
“The academy definitely prepared me well,” Bishop said. “Having the CREST facility at Oakland was a huge benefit to the students. We were able to do building searches, role playing, calls in progress … some real world scenarios.”
Bishop earned his bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Ferris State University and was hired by Lapeer County Sheriff’s Office in July. The 26-year-old was influenced to become a police officer by his dad, a retired St. Clair City Police Officer
“When I was trying to decide what to do out of high school, I did a ride along with my dad and got to see what a police officer does,” he said. “I knew that’s what I wanted to do and started to work toward my degree.”
He was very thankful for the Weiler Award. “(The Weiler Award) meant a lot! Going to the academy, you can’t work, so the money helped out with gas prices going up and paying for the schooling,” Bishop said. “It helped me out with graduation, the academy, and being able to self-sponsor.” d
5 members re-elected to Executive Committee
Union members voted to re-elect five POLC/GELC Executive Committee members during the 2024 Annual POLC/GELC Business Meeting held in Traverse City on Sept. 13.
Re-elected to two-year terms are Scott Beggs of Flat Rock Police Department; Adam Byrd of Van Buren Township Police Department; Leigh Golden of Flint Police Department; Ryan Strunk of Battle Creek Police Department; and Jacob Theisen of Royal Oak Police Department
Executive Committee members reinstated Brian McNair of Chesterfield Township Police Department as Committee Chairman and Greg Alexander of Oscoda Township Police Department as Vice Chairman. Joe Meier of Oak Park Department of Public Safety was appointed to the Committee in June to complete retired Committee member Troy Taylor’s two-year term. (See article Pg. 2). The four remaining Committee members’ terms, including Meier’s, will be up for election in the fall of 2025. d
Re-elected 2024 POLC/ GELC Executive Committee members are from left: Jacob Theisen, Leigh Golden, Ryan Strunk, Scott Beggs and Adam Byrd.
Photo by Dave Millar, Photographic Impressions North
Photo courtesy of Oakland Police Academy POLC Director Jim Stachowski (left) and Oakland Police Academy Range Master Keith Waller (right) present the Weiler Scholarship Award to Cadet Justin Bishop.
Holland Officer awarded OSA for ending standoff with gunman, saving lives
— By Jennifer Gomori, POJ Editor
Holland Department of Public Safety Officer Stephen Manning was awarded a POLC Outstanding Service Award (OSA) for ending a nearly 12-hour standoff with a barricaded gunman, saving the lives of fellow officers and the hostage.
John Rathjen, a K9 Officer with Holland Public Safety’s Special Enforcement Team (S.E.T.), nominated Manning for the Outstanding Service Award. “I’m flattered. I’m honored,” Manning said. “I’m just doing my job, protecting my brothers and the community.”
Manning, 31, responded as part of S.E.T. to a residence on the 5000 block of Vail Ave. in Allendale Township. They were called to assist Ottawa County Sheriff’s Critical Response Team (CRT) Aug. 26, 2023 during a standoff which began about 8:40 p.m. Aug. 25.
Dustin Herrick, 37, was making homicidal comments while holding his 56-year-old mother hostage inside their trailer. “They were doing multiple announcements to try to get him to surrender,” Manning said.
“Officer Manning, a patrol officer assigned to the Sniper Team, was assigned an overwatch position to the northeast of (the trailer),” Rathjen wrote in his OSA nomination letter. “While Officer Manning was watching the trailer, he saw the front door open and told Ofc. Rathjen ‘contact’. As quickly as Officer Manning said ‘contact’ shots began to ring out.”
The hostage stepped out first around 8:30 a.m. and told police to leave, then returned inside. The suspect took cover behind the doorframe while he opened fire on police with a semi-automatic rifle. “He quickly popped out and immediately started firing with no warning. He got three rounds off in under a half second before I could get one round off. It was pretty quick,” Manning said. “Then once my round goes off, I see him fold in half at the waist and the door closes behind him.”
“Several officers and deputies were outside of the tactical armor in front of the trailer due to the hostage coming out,” Rathjen wrote. “These officers and deputies hoped to retrieve the hostage, but they were exposed and in a vulnerable position. In the midst of this chaos, Ofc. Manning was able to remain calm and focused on his objective. Ofc. Manning fired one round from his Tikka .308 striking Dustin in the abdomen (his only target area at the time). The force caused by the impact of this .308 round forced Dustin to fall back inside the trailer, rendering himself unable to continue shooting.”
“Ofc. Manning’s quick and decisive decision to engage Dustin certainly prevented injury and death to not only the hostage but to all of the officers and deputies who were mere feet away from the suspect,” Rathjen wrote. “Ofc. Manning’s actions that day were nothing short of heroic and saved numerous lives. Had Ofc. Manning hesitated or failed to stop the threat, it is very likely that many fathers, husbands, sons and friends would not have come home that day. It was later discovered that several of Dustin’s rounds missed our officers by mere inches.”
A short time later, the hostage came out and police got her to to the armored vehicle for safety. Moments later police heard another gunshot and went inside and found the suspect deceased. “He had pulled himself up on a chair and he shot himself in the head,” Manning said.
The aftermath of that fatal day is always with Manning. “I definitely wanted to find reassurance that he was a bad person and it wasn’t just a bad day for him,” he said. “I handled it real well, but it was still the struggle of being a devout Christian and taking someone’s life. I know I did what I had to do to protect the community and my brothers essentially, but not a day goes by that I don’t think about it.”
“Ofc. Manning participated in counseling and is helping to break the narrative that these critical incidents don’t affect officers and their families,” Rathjen wrote. “Ofc. Manning has been able to use this situation to help other officers to deal with critical incidents in a healthier way, leading to better mental and overall health for many people.”
“It’s something no officer really wants to do, but it’s something we take on by doing the job,” Manning said. “They always tell you not to talk until you’ve talked with your attorney, but it was extremely difficult not to talk to people.”
Holland Public Safety honored Manning with a Merit Award for Outstanding Service for safely ending the standoff. He has been with his department for 6 years, serving on S.E.T. for 4-1/2 years. The FTO and Use of Force instructor is assigned to Holland’s Undercover Unit. He’s on the agency’s recruiting team and was on the strategic planning committee. For the past three years, he’s been a Grand Valley State University Police Academy instructor of control tactics and physical fitness.
“I’m just thankful everyone is ok. One of the scariest parts is I’m very good friends with every single one of those guys,” Manning said of the officers the gunman fired upon. “It gives you goose bumps because they are the people you want your kids to grow up with and see as mentors.”
Officer Manning looks forward to raising his family with his wife while continuing his career alongside his close friends at Holland Public Safety. d
Photo by Dave Millar, Photographic Impressions North Holland Officer Stephen Manning (left) receives an Outstanding Service Award from POLC Director Jim Stachowski.
Coloma Twp. Police Chief recognized for saving POLC Officer’s life
— By Jennifer Gomori, POJ Editor
Coloma Township Police Chief Wesley Smigielski was awarded a 2024 POLC Outstanding Service Award (OSA) for saving the life of one of his POLC-represented officers.
“I was in the POLC for probably 15 years with Benton Harbor and (Coloma Township). Now that I’m not in the Union anymore, it feels humbling to get a Union award,” Smigielski said. “It’s just really cool that the POLC is honoring somebody that’s not in the Union.”
He was nominated by Coloma Township Police Officer Drew Wagner and his department for saving Wagner’s life. Wagner was wounded Nov. 13, 2023 after he and Smigielski responded to a disturbance involving a male with a gun around 12:35 p.m. on the 4300 block of Bundy Rd. in Hagar Township, a bordering township without a police department. David Simmons Jr., 40, was reportedly hiding in a white shed on the west side of the house.
“I took cover behind a bundle of trees and Chief Smigielski took cover behind a wooden fence. Chief Smigielski began yelling orders to the male suspect to come out of the shed. There was no response,” Wagner wrote in his OSA nomination letter.
They heard one gunshot and the second shot hit Wagner. “I dropped to the ground and was shot. My gun fell out of my hand and to the ground several feet away,” Wagner wrote. “I was temporarily incapacitated. The bullet entered my shoulder and exited my upper right back (bypassing my vest). We were ambushed.”
The gunman was hiding between two sheds with a 9mm gun.
“In an incredible act of courage that I personally witnessed … Chief Smigielski told me to stay down behind cover and he returned fire at the suspect, shielding me from the gunman while I was wounded and completely vulnerable on the ground,” he wrote. “Chief Smigielski ran out of ammunition for his gun. Instead of falling back to safety, Smigielski grabbed a (rake) … and he was ready to fight to the death to defend my life. While the suspect was still advancing and shooting at us Smigielski exited his cover, in view of the gunman, ran to my location, and began assisting me with my wounds.”
“I’m there to protect him and I’m going to do it by any means necessary even if it means losing my life for him,” Smigielski said. “I was trying to waive (the rake) as a distraction device for the guy and I just I dropped it right away when I got over to Drew and that was when I was yelling for somebody to shoot (the suspect). I was trying to find (Wagner’s) gun and I couldn’t. What was going through my mind is this is probably the last time that I’ll be seeing Officer Wagner and my family … then I heard gunfire and that was the deputy who took him out for us. Thank God (Berrien County Sheriff’s Deputy Aaron) Nannfeldt was there. If it wasn’t for him, I would not be doing this interview with you right now.”
Officers and later paramedics provided emergency medical assistance to Simmons, who died at the scene. The Chief provided lifesaving aid to Wagner, who suffered a fractured scapula, broken rib and bruised lung from the bullet wound. “He shoved paper towels in my gunshot wound before the ambulance arrived as I was bleeding profusely and beginning
to become cold and tired,” Wagner wrote. “This quick reaction from Smigielski may have been the difference between me surviving and me bleeding to death, as I had almost lost too much blood before I got to the hospital. Chief Smigielski should be awarded this medal for his acts of bravery.”
Smigielski, 47, also received a NAPO 2024 TOP COPS Honorable Mention during National Police Week in May. In July, he received the Medal of Honor from Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police during their conference. In March, he was inducted into the National Law Enforcement Officer Hall of Fame, receiving the Courage In Service Award at a ceremony in Fort Worth, Texas.
“Officer Wagner nominated me (for the Hall of Fame) and their committee recognized me and saw all the things I’ve done in my past,” he said. “This isn’t my first shooting. I had two in Benton Harbor and one in Coloma in 2016 when two of my colleagues got killed at Berrien County Courthouse. I was up there doing follow up on case when (the defendant) decided to go on his rampage. We were just leaving the courtroom and he got the gun from a deputy and shot two bailiffs and one of the bailiff’s was a really close friend of mine. He was in my wedding and that made it a little tougher.”
After earning his Fire Science degree from Lansing Community College, Smigielski served as a Benton Harbor Firefighter from 1997 to 2001. He joined Highland Park Fire Department from 2002 to mid-2003, attending Oakland Police Academy while working evenings part-time to pay for the academy. Smigielski began his law enforcement career in 2003 as a POLC member with Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety, advancing to the Detective Bureau and Chief Investigator, while serving on the FBI Violent Crime Task Force (2007-2013). In 2014, he became a Charleston, South Carolina Police Officer. He returned to Michigan as a Coloma Township Patrolman in 2015, rejoining the POLC until 2018. Within 10
Continued on page 8
Photo by Dave Millar, Photographic Impressions North Coloma Township Police Chief Wesley Smigielski (left) was presented with a POLC Outstanding Service Award by POLC Director Jim Stachowski.
Van Buren County Sgt. honored with OSA thought he would die during rescue
— By Jennifer Gomori, POJ Editor
Van Buren County Sheriff’s Sgt. Paul Graham was awarded a POLC Outstanding Service Award (OSA) for saving a wheelchair user who was trapped inside his burning home.
“Sgt. Graham was able to enter the residence and rescue the wheelchair-bound subject before the house trailer became fully involved. Sgt. Graham suffered minor smoke inhalation during this incident but surely his immediate response and action saved this individual,” wrote Van Buren County Sheriff’s Captain James Charon in his OSA nomination letter.
Graham arrived first on scene about 2:30 a.m. May 7, 2024 on the 50000 block of 29 1/2 Street in Antwerp Township and could smell smoke as soon as he exited his car, indicating that it was more than a small fire and time was of the essence.
“I was told by dispatch there was a gentleman who was paralyzed that was trapped in this bed that was on fire,” Graham said. “I’ve got a man pleading for help who’s sitting in a burning bed and I can’t not act. The front door was locked, so I had to kick it in. The room was full of smoke and you could barely see into the room. I knew from dispatch he was in the back of the house.”
Graham, 56, turned on his flashlight and called out to the victim and followed his voice toward a black sheet covering the bedroom doorway.
“The black sheet gave me no depth perception. His room was filled with even more, blacker smoke, and the bed was smoldering. I grabbed the smoldering pieces and pulled them off and threw them on the floor,” Graham said. “He said his wheelchair didn’t work, so I just scooped him up in my arms and he put his arms around my neck. When I was 5 feet from the (front) door, I saw a flashlight. I don’t like admitting it but I’m standing in the hallway and I’m like ‘Huh, so this is how I go.’ Then another officer comes in and we carry him out together.”
The officers got the victim to the porch, where Graham collapsed from smoke inhalation. “I had zero strength,” he said. “Luckily a third officer showed up. They grabbed him from the front porch and took him to safety, then came back and assisted me to care.”
“Sgt. Graham took it upon himself to make verbal contact with the victim and then force his way into the residence to attempt a rescue,” wrote Mattawan Fire Chief Scott Brooks in a recommendation letter. “Sgt. Graham was successful in his rescue efforts by physically picking up the victim from his bed and dragging the victim from the residence without hesitation or concern for his own safety or wellbeing.”
After everyone was out, the house went up in flames before being extinguished by members of the Mattawan Fire Department
“Within 2 minutes of exiting the structure, the fire had grown to the point it self-vented and began free burning. The fire’s intensity broke windows, melted the roof and siding, and spread throughout the entire structure,” Brooks wrote.
“I was thanking God I was able to get there as quickly as I was and we were able to get him out safely. That’s all that matters,” Graham said.
“It is with great certainty I know that Sgt. Graham’s heroic actions saved the homeowner’s life,” Brooks wrote. “Sgt. Graham’s willingness to quickly react is what saved the homeowner from more extensive damages than what he had already suffered.”
The victim suffered severe burns to his lower extremities. He was transported to a nearby hospital and, due to the severity of his burns, his paralyzed legs were amputated.
Graham was treated at the scene. “They recommended I go to the hospital, but I didn’t go. I went back to work because I got stuff to do,” Graham said. “I got to be ready for the next call.”
Helping others is what drew Graham to law enforcement. He started with Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office as a Reserve in 2012. “I had a good friend who was a police officer and … I was always asking him what he did as a police officer,” Graham said. “So I did some ride alongs with him and was kind of hooked instantly.”
The former co-owner of Gallagher’s Eatery and Pub in Ann Arbor, Kalamazoo and Paw Paw sold his share of the business back to his family and completed Kalamazoo Valley Community College Law Enforcement Academy in 2014 at the age of 46. “I was the oldest guy in the academy which was a fun time,” he joked. “I just got tired of the restaurant stuff. I like law enforcement and the ability to help people and thought that was nice. I’m coming up on 10 years Dec. 1 that I will be here as a sworn officer.”
He’s thankful for the OSA honor and to be part of a team of public safety personnel who saved a life.
“I‘m honored and I’m very surprised because I don’t feel like I did anything that anyone else wouldn’t have done,” Graham said. “It’s very humbling to have people recognize something I did. It puts me back in that place where I was thinking ‘Oh God this is how I go,’ and now I’m getting an award.” d
Photo by Dave Millar, Photographic Impressions North
Van Buren County Sheriff’s Sgt. Paul Graham (left) is honored with an Outstanding Service Award by POLC Director Jim Stachowksi.
Retiring Labor Rep. understands value of providing personal service
— By Jennifer Gomori, POJ Editor
Chester “Chet” Kulesza has spent his career dedicated to law enforcement — first on the job for over three decades, then supporting hundreds of officers in their careers as a POLC Labor Representative.
“As much as it is service, you get to know these guys and you get to like them,” Kulesza said. “It’s a good feeling when you can get them a decent contract or you help them out with a grievance you’re successful with and I’ll miss that. I will be missing the guys.”
Just prior to his retirement in late September, he was honored for 20 years of service as a POLC/GELC Labor Representative during the Unions’ Annual Conference.
“I’ve worked 52 years in a row so I really don’t want to do anything,” he said in late July of future retirement plans. “I’m kind of looking to relax a little bit. I have three granddaughters who live in Fort Wayne and I’m trying to go there and enjoy spending time with them.”
Kulesza retired from Warren Police Department, spending the last three years of his 32-year career as a Detective. A member of the Warren Police Officers Association, he got involved in Union matters early on in his career. “I was Shift Steward on and off since 1975. I was always Shift Steward or involved in the Union somehow,” he said, adding that many of his co-workers didn’t want to serve as Steward because it required them to confront management.
As Warren POA President for over 2-1/2 years he was responsible for processing grievances through arbitration and handling contract negotiations.
Kulesza was assigned to Radar and Motor Carrier Duties, Uniform Patrol and attended Michigan State Community Policing Concepts School. “It was just trying to figure out different things to try like D.A.R.E. programs and bike patrols and what might work better for each community,” he said. “It was a think tank kind of thing.”
His retirement from Warren PD in 2004 was short-lived as Kulesza was hired to continue representing officers as a POLC/GELC Labor Rep. that same year. “I started as a Labor Rep. Aug. 9th, 2004. Things have really changed in police work,” he said. “Everybody’s got a (body) camera now. For lots of people, police are not (thought of) in the best light.”
That change in public perception has significantly impacted the profession. “The younger officers coming on now are different from when I started. Back then, 80 to 100 people would apply for one job,” he said. “Now, you have eight openings and you don’t have more than two guys that apply.”
That’s where the POLC helps bridge the gap between the Employer
“That’s what (members) appreciate the most is that you remember them and take care of them when they have a problem. That, I think, is the key.”
and Employees by promoting a work environment based on mutual respect with appropriate compensation to attract and maintain staffing. “I came from the City of Warren that had a pension. There was no way I would leave if I had 18 years in,” Kulesza said. “A lot of these cities went to the police 401k. That’s because when you have a pension, you can’t figure out a budget (in advance). So these (cities) would have to put in more money than was needed or come up with more money later. When the 401k came out, they realized they can budget for that, but now when departments are trying to retain Employees, those Employees pick up their bucket of 401k money and they go. Now it’s not a loyalty thing.”
“It’s made it hard on cities to recruit,” he said. “You have to have better pay, better benefits to attract people. If not, you’re just losing people.”
With the onset of the pandemic, there were increased risks for police, from health concerns to a rise in violence against officers. Retirements increased and the number of new recruits plummeted. However, Kulesza said, the worst time for law enforcement over the past two decades was during the housing market crash.
“When the crash hit in 2008, 2009, and 2010, that was way worse than COVID. Nobody had any money. Guys were taking zero increments in their contract,” he said. “As a Labor Rep., it was really hard. I would tell (members), ‘I’m here to get you the best contract I can, but I cannot do that right now.’”
While the Unions have grown significantly over the past 20 years, one thing remains the same, Kulesza said — the personal attention the POLC and GELC provides to their members. His advice to new Labor Rep. John Huizdos, a former POLC/GELC Executive Committee member, is to keep that in the forefront of his mind.
“He’s got be attentive. For the POLC, services are our best feature. We have great attorneys. We have great Reps,” he said. “Call all your groups to see how they’re doing. That’s what (members) appreciate the most is that you remember them and take care of them when they have a problem. That, I think, is the key.” d
Photo by Dave Millar, Photographic Impressions North POLC/GELC Director Jim Stachowski (right) honors Chet Kulesza for his two decades of service as a Labor Representative.
Huizdos is ‘excited’ to be welcomed back as Union Labor Representative
— By Jennifer Gomori, POJ Editor
Former POLC/GELC Executive Committee member John Huizdos had to part ways with the Unions when he retired from Bloomfield Township Police Department in May 2023, but he longed to return as a Labor Representative. This July his wish came true.
“I’ve wanted this job since I retired and the opening never materialized and I said, ‘I’m going to leave it in God’s hands’ and here we are a year later and it’s finally materialized so I’m pretty happy,” Huizdos said.
The only concern he had was leaving his position as a Flagstar Bank fraud investigator. While he really enjoyed the work he started in April, he couldn’t let the opportunity to serve POLC and GELC members pass him by.
“They are very nice people and it’s a very professional organization. I learned a ton about the steps that Flagstar took to keep everybody’s money safe,” however, Huizdos said, “Like my wife had told me … ‘The only job you talk about where you have a smile on your face and have some sort of excitement is the POLC Labor Rep. job. You have to go for it.’ And she’s right. I’m very, very excited about going to work again for cops.”
The retired Bloomfield Township Police Detective spent 28-1/2 years with the agency, the last 6 years of which he was a POLC/GELC Executive Committee member. A POLC member his entire career, he served the Local Union board for two decades as Secretary, Treasurer, and then President for the final 9 years.
Huizdos is representing the units that longtime Labor Rep. Chet Kulesza handled until his retirement in September. “It’s something I always wanted after I did 20 years on Bloomfield Township Patrol Union board. Then I sat on the Executive Committee and I learned about policies and how everybody there really just cares about the officers and civilians at GELC they represent,” he said. “It was always my passion … and it’s just important, especially with cops under the microscope and law enforcement not getting the respect they deserve.”
Working with members from different departments and hearing their concerns as an Executive Committee member prepared him for his new position. “Whether it was a grievance or contract negotiations, I learned what was important to each department,” he said. “I learned something all the time talking to the Labor Reps. and the attorneys, Brendon (Canfield) and Mike (Akins). (POLC/GELC Director) Jim (Stachowski) and (Labor Reps.) Rob Figurski and Chris Watts are always available too for questions and help and I was just like a sponge.”
Former Bloomfield Township Officer of the Year in 2005 and 2016, Huizdos worked in patrol, traffic and investigations, serving as a Traffic Crash Investigator. From 2012 until his retirement, he enjoyed working with other agencies as a member of the Major Case Assistance Team (MCAT), a collaborative team involving several Oakland County law enforcement agencies. He received two awards for his work in homicide investigations and one for locating the driver in a hit and run.
Huizdos has a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Wayne State University and graduated from Macomb Police Academy. He expanded
his law enforcement knowledge through numerous training courses.
Huizdos sees the revolving door many departments experience with recruitment and retention as something the Union can help remedy. While pay increases are the prime objective, portable retirement systems are a problem, he said.
“Pensions and retiree healthcare are what kept people at their departments for 20 to 25 years,” he said. “When they contribute to retirement and it’s portable, when another job comes along that pays better or has a pension, there is nothing that is going to hold them to the department. It’s almost like cops are mercenaries and can go to the highest bidder right now.”
“Your community will fail if you are not protecting your citizens and keep the peace in your community,” he said. “That’s where the Union comes in, to get better pay and benefits and make it appealing for people wanting to go into the career. Everybody benefits from that. It goes for the fire departments too.”
Getting new hires the appropriate starting pay, based on experience, increases the odds of recruiting officers. “A lot of the departments do that lateral hire, where you go in at the level of pay you left on the pay scale,” he said.
“I’m just really grateful for being able to go and serve at the POLC and serve all my brothers and sisters in law enforcement again,” he said. “I’m so eager to learn from all the Reps and the attorneys and Jim and Rob. It’s really exciting for me.” d
Police
Chief recognized continued from page 5
months of his hire, he was promoted to Lieutenant and for the past 5-1/2 years, he’s served as Coloma’s Police Chief.
“I’m not like any other chief. I just do things a little bit different here. I’m very hands on and I’m going lead by example,” he said. “We have more a family atmosphere here… I take calls with (officers), I help them, and I do as much with them as I can to show them I’m no different than they are.” d
Photo by Dave Millar, Photographic Impressions North POLC/GELC Labor Rep. John Huizdos
Member News
Contract Settlements
— As Reported by POLC/GELC Labor Reps
Battle Creek Police Lieutenants
New three-year agreement expires June 30, 2027.
Wages:
4% increase effective July 1, 2024.
3% increase effective July 1, 2025.
3% increase effective July 1, 2026.
*Rolled Stand-By pay into salary beginning July 1, 2024 instead of 1.25 hours per day.
Fringe Benefits: Juneteenth was added as a paid Holiday. Bereavement Leave increased from 3 to 5 days for immediate family and the definition of immediate family expanded. Bereavement Leave was increased to 3 days for siblings and in-laws and 1 day was added for grandparents, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and their partners. Compensatory Time accrual increased from 240 to 480 hours.
Retirement: Employee contributions to their Defined Benefit plans increase by .5% effective July 1, 2026.
Bargaining Team: Local Union Stewards James Martens, William Gensch and Joel Case aided by POLC Labor Representative Scott Eager.
Battle Creek Police Sergeants
New three-year agreement expires June 30, 2027.
Wages:
10.6% increase effective July 1, 2024.
2% increase effective July 1, 2025.
3% increase effective July 1, 2026.
*Reduced wage progression to top rate, which was formerly based on years of service, to Sergeants topping out in just 24 months.
**Eligible Sergeants now receive a $10,000 annual stipend for Stand-By pay instead of 1.25 hours per day. The number of positions eligible for Stand-By pay were reduced.
Fringe Benefits: Juneteenth was added as a paid Holiday. Bereavement Leave increased from 3 to 5 days for immediate family and the definition of immediate family expanded. Bereavement Leave was increased to 3 days for siblings and in-laws and 1 day was added for grandparents, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and their partners. Compensatory Time accrual increased from 240 to 480 hours.
Retirement: Employee contributions to their Defined Benefit plans increase by .5% effective July 1, 2026.
Bargaining Team: Local Union Stewards Chad Fickle, Nicholas Woolman, Cory Champlin and Rob Henley aided by POLC Labor Representative Scott Eager.
Charlotte Police Non-Supervisory
New three-year agreement expires June 30, 2027.
Wages:
5% increase effective July 1, 2024. 5% increase effective July 1, 2025. 5% increase effective July 1, 2026.
*$1 per hour wage adjustment and $.72 cents per hour Longevity conversion applied to all wages before the 5% increase on July 1, 2024. These increases bring the net raise in wages on July 1, 2024 to 11.57%.
**Detective wage is 6% above top Patrol wage each contract year.
Bargaining Team: Local Union Stewards Jeremy Poortvliet and Jonny Fullerton aided by POLC Labor Representative Scott Eager.
Clio DPW
New three-year agreement expires June 30, 2027.
Wages:
$1 per hour plus 5% increase effective July 1, 2024.
5% increase effective July 1, 2025.
5% increase effective July 1, 2026.
Fringe Benefits: Newly added 24 hours of PTO per year for Employees. Juneteenth was added as a paid Holiday.
Bargaining Team: Steward Brian Goode aided by GELC Labor Representative Joe Stone.
Coldwater Police Command
New three-year agreement expires June 30, 2027.
Wages:
9% increase effective July 1, 2024.
3.5% increase effective July 1, 2025.
3% increase effective July 1, 2026.
*Employees received $1,000 contract ratification bonus.
Fringe Benefits: Added 12 additional Personal Leave hours.
Bargaining Team: Local Union Steward Korin Bordner and Matt Schoenauer aided by POLC Labor Representative Scott Eager.
Emmett Township Department of Public Safety Non-Supervisory
New three-year agreement expires March 31, 2027.
Wages:
4% increase effective April 1, 2024.
3% increase effective April 1, 2025.
3% increase effective April 1, 2026.
*On April 1, 2024, Employees will receive $1.50 per hour wage increase before any across the board percentage increases listed above.
**Employees each received $2,000 off schedule onetime signing bonuses.
Fringe Benefits: Compensatory Time carryover increased from 90 hours per year to 120 hours annually. Personal Leave Time changed from 3 days to 36 hours. Sick Leave payout increased from being
paid any accumulation over 1,056 hours when an Employee leaves employment to being paid for accumulated time up to the first 1,000 hours at $25 per hour. Employees may continue to bank Sick Time without any limit. Sick Time post-employment payout is as follows:
• 1-6 years = 0% of the first 1,000 hours
• 7-13 years = 25% of the first 1,000 hours
• 14-19 years = 75% of the first 1,000 hours
• 20 plus years = 100% up to 1,000 hours
Expense Reimbursement for meals changed from $25 per day to the IRS Per Diem rates. Fuel and Mileage Reimbursement also changed to the IRS Per Diem rates.
Retirement: Employer contribution to MERS DB Plan increased from 6.27% to 8.52%.
Bargaining Team: Local Union Stewards Rich Mackey and Shawn Follett aided by POLC Labor Representative David Thomas.
Emmett Township Department of Public Safety Supervisory
New three-year agreement expires March 31, 2027.
Wages:
4% increase effective April 1, 2024.
3% increase effective April 1, 2025.
3% increase effective April 1, 2026.
*On April 1, 2024, Employees receive $1.50 per hour wage increase before any across the board percentage increases listed above.
**Employees each received $2,000 off schedule one-time signing bonuses.
Fringe Benefits: Compensatory Time carryover increased from 90 hours per year to 120 hours annually. Personal Leave Time changed from 3 days to 36 hours. Sick Leave payout increased from being paid any accumulation over 1,056 hours when an Employee leaves employment to being paid for accumulated time up to the first 1,000 hours at $25 per hour. Employees may continue to bank Sick Time without any limit. Sick Time post-employment payout is as follows:
• 1-6 years = 0% of the first 1,000 hours
• 7-13 years = 25% of the first 1,000 hours
• 14-19 years = 75% of the first 1,000 hours
• 20 plus years = 100% up to 1,000 hours
Expense Reimbursement for meals changed from $25 per day to the IRS Per Diem rates. Fuel and Mileage Reimbursement also changed to the IRS Per Diem rates.
Retirement: The Employer contribution to MERS DB Plan increased from 6.27% to 8.52%.
Bargaining Team: Local Union Steward Tony Geigle aided by POLC Labor Representative David Thomas.
Grand Blanc City Administrative Aides
Member News
New five-year agreement expires May 31, 2029.
Wages:
5% to 6% wage adjustment based on job classification effective June 1, 2024.
3% increase effective June 1, 2025.
3% increase effective June 1, 2026.
3% increase effective June 1, 2027.
3% increase effective June 1, 2028.
Retirement: The Employer will match Employees’ contributions into their 457 plans up to $1,500 per year per Employee.
Fringe Benefits: Added 1 paid Floating Holiday to Employees’ paid holidays list. New Hires will receive 40 hours of paid Vacation Time.
Bargaining Team: Steward Martha Hill aided by GELC Labor Representative Joe Stone.
Grand Blanc City DPW
New five-year agreement expires May 31, 2029.
Wages:
5% to 6% wage adjustment based on job classification effective June 1, 2024.
3% increase effective June 1, 2025.
3% increase effective June 1, 2026.
3% increase effective June 1, 2027.
3% increase effective June 1, 2028.
Retirement: The Employer will match Employees’ contributions into their 457 plans up to $2,500 per Employee per year.
Fringe Benefits: Added 1 paid Floating Holiday to Employees’ paid holidays list. New Hires will receive 40 hours of paid Vacation Time. Clothing Allowance increased from $400 to $500 per year.
Bargaining Team: Stewards Joe Cassels and Jim Lowe aided by GELC Labor Representative Joe Stone.
Greenville
Department of Public Safety Non-Supervisory
Wage re-opener expires June 30, 2026.
Wages:
0% increase for PSO I effective July 1, 2024.
0% increase for PSO II effective July 1, 2024.
5% increase for PSO III effective July 1, 2024. 12% increase for PSO III who have 10+ years of service effective July 1, 2024.
$2,500 lump sum payments to the two current PSO I effective on or about Jan. 1, 2025.
$2,500 lump sum payments to the two current PSO I effective June 30, 2025.
Health Care: Employer added dental and vision coverage to the current health insurance plan. Employees who opt out of insurance coverage are paid $350 per month.
Retirement: The Employer contribution to MERS DB Plan increased from 10% to 12%.
Bargaining Team: Local Union Stewards Jess Dear, Chad Aniszko, David Genslakand and Jamie Soren aided by POLC Labor Representative David Thomas.
Harrison Township General Employees
New four-year agreement expires Dec. 31, 2027. Wages:
*The following wage increases are in addition to the annual percentage increases:
• Building Department Secretary and Election Specialist positions were reclassified as Senior Account Bookkeeper and Administrative Assistant, about $2.50 or more hourly increase.
• New Hires in Water and Sewer now start as Utility Worker 1 Employees with starting pay increasing from $22.58 to $23.71 hourly. Pay incentives were added for S-licenses: 1% for S3 and S4 and 2.5% for S1 and S2.
• Dual licensee Building Inspectors starting pay increased from $62,000 annually to $65,132.
• Code Enforcement starting pay increased from $53,331 annually to $55,998.
Retirement: Employer increased the Township MERS monthly contribution from $200 to $220 in 2024; $240 in 2025; $260 in 2026; and $280 in 2027.
Fringe Benefits: Newly added paid Holidays include: Juneteenth, and one additional day off for Independence Day, Christmas and New Year’s, either the day before or day after the Holiday (when the Holiday falls on Tuesday or Thursday). Added option to rollover up to 40 hours of Sick Leave in lieu of the 50% payout. Adjusted Vacation Time accrual. Formerly, Employees with 2 years of employment on their anniversary had to wait until the next Jan. 1 to receive increased paid Vacation Time. Now they receive Vacation Time on their anniversary date, as follows:
• Less than 2 years of employment = 80 hours
• 2 years but less than 10 years = 120 hours
• 10 years but less than 15 years = 152 hours
• 15 years but less than 20 years = 160 hours
• 20 or more years = 168 hours
Manning & Safety: Employer will pay for all water and sewer training and testing to acquire S-licenses and CDL-B certification. Employer will pay for at least 4 workers to acquire CDL-A certification.
Bargaining Team: Chapter Chair Paula Phillis, Vice Chair Dan Hill, Senior Steward Jim Harris and Stewards Andrea Clement and Alanna Chaffee aided by GELC Labor Representative Joe Stone.
Harrison Township Supervisors
New four-year agreement expires Dec. 31, 2027.
Wages:
5% increase effective Jan. 1, 2024.
3% increase effective Jan. 1, 2025.
3% increase effective Jan. 1, 2026.
3% increase effective Jan. 1, 2027.
Retirement: Employer increased their contribution
to Employees’ Retiree Health Savings Accounts as follows:
• In 2024 = $280 per month
• In 2025 = $300 per month
• In 2026 = $320 per month
• In 2027 = $340 per month
Bargaining Team: Local Union Stewards Justin Murphy and Brent Condon aided by GELC Labor Representative Joe Stone.
Lincoln Park Management
New three-year agreement expires June 30, 2027.
Wages:
3% to 5% wage adjustment based on job classification effective July 1, 2024.
3% increase effective July 1, 2025.
2% increase effective July 1, 2026.
Manning & Safety: DPS Supervisors will receive a minimum of 3 hours pay for call-ins. Employees will receive $300 Incentive pay for using 1 day or less of Sick Time in a year.
Bargaining Team: Stewards Kristina Erdos, Lisa Jones and Austin Carroll aided by GELC Labor Representative Joe Stone.
Warren 37th District Court
Contract extension expires June 30, 2025.
Wages:
4% increase effective July 1, 2024.
Fringe Benefits: Newly added $400 annual Clothing Allowance for all members.
Bargaining Team: Steward Lauren Sexaur aided by GELC Labor Representative Joe Stone.
City of Warren Supervisors
Contract extension expires June 30, 2025.
Wages:
4% increase effective July 1, 2024.
Fringe Benefits: Increased annual Clothing Allowance for all members from $350 to $400.
Bargaining Team: Steward David Klein aided by GELC Labor Representative Joe Stone.
Wixom Clerical Employees
New three-year agreement expires June 30, 2027.
Wages:
5% increase effective July 1, 2024.
3% increase effective July 1, 2025.
3% increase effective July 1, 2026.
Health Care: Employer provided 5% reduction in health care premium costs to members. Employer increased Dental coverage annual benefit to $1,500 per person. Employer increased Vision coverage annual benefit to $450 per person.
Fringe Benefits: Added Juneteenth and Martin Luther King, Jr. Day to paid Holidays.
Retirement: Employer providing a 3% increase in contributions to 401 Defined Contribution Plan.
Bargaining Team: Stewards Jodi Gallo and Vilma Mazi aided by GELC Labor Representative Joe Stone. d
New Units
Harrison Twp. Employees impressed with GELC responsive, inclusive service
— By Jennifer Gomori, POJ Editor
When several Harrison Township Employees threatened to leave their former union, Local Stewards knew they had to act fast.
“The whole reason behind our change was half of our members had said they were ready to leave the union because they were dissatisfied with AFSCME,” said Harrison Township Chapter Chair Paula Phillis. “I think in the past they were interested in changing bargaining units, but they were just scared of making the change.”
After over a decade with AFSCME, Phillis checked with neighboring municipalities about their representation, but the GELC went one step further than their competitors.
“(GELC Labor Rep.) Joe Stone reached out to us to see if we’d be interested in a change,” she said. “We didn’t think it would be feasible since it was so late with our contract. Thankfully, Joe was a big help with that. (GELC Membership Services Rep.) Chris Watts met with us virtually and they walked us through the whole entire process.”
The 21-member group voted unanimously to join the GELC in late October 2023. “The contract expired Dec. 31st while all of this was going on,” Phillis said. “We were very lucky the Township was very understanding of the transition. They allowed the contract to still be place.”
“We drew up a Letter of Understanding with the Township. They gave
SERVICE AWARD
them a 5% raise for 90 days,” Stone said. “If we didn’t get the contract done in 90 days, they would revert back to their old wages and we actually got the contract done.”
Their 4-year agreement was ratified March 26, 2024 and brought in 14 percent wage increases, plus starting pay hikes for several positions and added pay for licensing and certification. In fact, the Township agreed to pay for costly water and sewer training and testing to acquire S-licenses and CDL-A and CDL-B certifications.
The contract includes one additional Holiday and one added day off for July 4th, Christmas and New Year’s, depending on which days the Holidays fall on. Paid Vacation Time was adjusted to Employees’ anniversary dates instead of having to wait until the following Jan. 1. The Employer also provided a monthly contribution boost each contract year to Employees’ MERS retirement plan.
“We’ve had more contact with Joe Stone in one month than we did with (our ASFCME Rep.) in 4 years,” Phillis said. “The resources, when it comes to negotiating and things like that, it was really helpful to us. We went to a training just recently for Stewards. We just got invited to the (Annual Conference) in Traverse City. Just the inclusion – we’re just very satisfied with them.” d
New Executive Board Member continued from page 2
head of the Local Command Union Board.
“The Director is Head of the (Public Safety) Department. In my position, I’m like the quasi-fire chief,” Meier said. “I run the whole fire side and the administrative duties up there. I handle all of the department training. Back when there were all the layoffs and financial problems, we eliminated a training position, so it kind of merged into one position.”
Those duties include overseeing the department’s K9 training. “Throughout my entire career we had always relied on other departments having (a K9) available. Response time was sometimes delayed or K9s were not available. Response time is of the essence,” he said. “We are currently in the process of replacing the K9, who is retiring, and we’re putting in a new handler. The benefits of having K9’s in law enforcement is great, but the community policing aspect is another tool to do demonstrations at the schools and things like that.”
Meier sees the primary concern for the POLC as being identical to that of many law enforcement agencies throughout the country.
“We are in a period where you have a lot of people coming to the end of their careers or considering retiring and we’re struggling to get people interested in coming to the job,” he said. “Better benefits and better working conditions are paramount to getting people to come to this profession and keep the great ones we still have!” d
Photo by Dave Millar, Photographic Impressions North Flat Rock Police Chief Steve McInchak (center) was honored at the POLC/GELC Annual Conference by POLC/GELC Director Jim Stachowski (left) and Executive Committee Chairman Brian McNair for his longtime service on the Executive Committee.
