The Police Officers Journal: Volume 29, Number 2 Summer 2019 by Mitchell Graphics

J urnal

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE LAW ENFORCEMENT EDUCATION PROGRAM

The Police Officers

VOLUME 29, NUMBER 2 • SUMMER 2019

ON THE INSIDE:

Register for POLC/GELC Conference – Pgs. 2-4 Ford improves Police SUV safety – Pg. 5 Academy grads receive LEEP Awards – Pgs. 6-7 POLC welcomes new units – Pgs. 9-10

Law Enforcement Education Program (LEEP©) 667 E. Big Beaver Road, Suite 205, Troy, MI 48083. (248) 524-3200 • FAX: (248) 524-2752 POLC membership: www.polc.org

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

CHAIR: Steve McInchak Gibraltar Police Dept.

VICE CHAIR: Brian McNair

ome join fellow Union members for a fun and relaxing weekend in Traverse City at the 2019 Annual POLC/GELC Meeting & Labor Seminar, which features a choice of three scheduled outdoor diversions. Make your reservations for the Aug. 25-27 Conference at the beautiful Grand Traverse Resort. The Conference will feature renowned career labor attorney Richard Poulson, who will discuss social media, PTSD/fitness for duty and Brady Officer. Attendees will have their choice of participating in a four-person golf scramble at Spruce Run Golf Course; using peddle power to travel around Traverse City on a Cycle Pub Tour; or getting in some rounds of a different kind at Cedar Rod & Gun Club on a sporting clay course. All outdoor events will take place Monday, Aug. 26. Space is limited for golfers and cyclists so reserve your spot today. The Conference will feature an evening Cocktail Reception Under the Stars Sunday, Aug. 25 and Hospitality Room Monday evening, Aug. 26. Complimentary breakfast and lunch will be served during the Labor Seminar and complimentary breakfast during the Annual Meeting. Don’t delay! Reserve your spot today by printing and completing registration pages 2-4 before the deadlines. d

Chesterfield Township Police Dept.

Collin Birnie Flint Police Dept.

Kyle Culbertson

Don’t miss first Annual Sporting Clays Course & Competition DON'T MISS THE FIRST ANNUAL SPORTING CLAYS COURSE & COMPETITION

Berrien County Sheriffs Dept.

Mike DeKam

Grand Rapids Communications

Scott Eager

Battle Creek Police Dept.

Jennifer Flick

Jackson Police Dept.

Jeff Gormley

Bloomfield Hills Public Safety Dept.

John Huizdos

Bloomfield Township Police Dept.

When: Monday, August 26 from 3:00pm - 5:00pm . Where: Cedar Rod & Gun Club What: Your $50 p/p cost includes: 2 rangemasters/instructors, 20 lines of sporting clays (50 bird course), ammunition, gun and scorecards. Maps will be available at the Conference

Return Registration with checks payable to POLC Participants Names

Phone# and Department Name

DIRECTOR, Robert Figurski Warren PD (Retired)

MEMBER SERVICES Lloyd Whetstone

This registration and payment must be returned before Thursday, August 1, 2019 to:

PUBLICATIONS

POLC/GELC Sporting Clay Competition * Police Officers Labor Council 667 E. Big Beaver Rd., Ste. 205, Troy, Ml 48083-1413

Executive Editor: Jennifer Gomori

2019 Annual POLC/GELC Meeting & Labor Seminar Sunday – Tuesday,

August 25-27, 2019 Grand Traverse Resort 100 Grand Traverse Village Blvd. Acme, MI 49610-0404

Attendance limited to registered delegates and invited guests only RESERVE ROOMS by August 1, 2019 to receive POLC/GELC discount:

Call 800-968-7352 (Promo code POL0819)

Questions? Call the POLC/GELC Office: 248-524-3200

Seminar Sessions

• Featured Speaker Richard Poulson discusses social media, PTSD/Fitness for Duty, Brady Officer • Health Care • Economic News & Views

POLC Business Meeting

• Outstanding Service Awards • POLC Business Agenda • POLC Board and Officers elections

Come join us for an outdoor Cocktail Reception, 8:30-11:30 p.m. on Sunday, August 25, 2019 and Hospitality Room 8:30-11:30 p.m. Monday, August 26, 2019. 2019 Delegate Registration:

Annual POLC/GELC Meeting & Labor Seminar Monday, August 26, 2019: 7:15 a.m. – 1 p.m. 7:15-8:15 a.m. Complimentary Breakfast 1 p.m. Complimentary Lunch Tuesday, August 27, 2019: 8-9 a.m. Complimentary Breakfast – Conclusion

ARTICLE V (By-laws) DELEGATES TO ANNUAL MEETING

SECTION 1. Each participating bargaining unit in the Labor Council shall be entitled to one (1) delegate to the Annual Meeting for each ten (10) members or major portion thereof in their unit, provided however, that each participating unit shall have at least one (1) delegate. SECTION 7. Any delegate from a bargaining unit that is delinquent in payment of dues shall not be admitted or seated at the Annual Meeting.

There is no fee to register this year. Please fill out and return this registration form. _____________________________________________________________________

Name of your unit and its current enrollment.

________________________ Number of delegates allowed

List names of all unit delegates here: (Please type or print neatly) _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________

This registration must be returned before Friday, August 16, 2019 to: Police Officers Labor Council • 667 E. Big Beaver Rd, Ste. 205 • Troy, MI 48083-1413

The Police Officers Journal

22nd Annual POLC/GELC Golf Outing Spruce Run Golf Course at the beautiful Grand Traverse Resort provides a scheduled diversion for attendees of the Police Officers Labor Council’s annual Business meetings in Traverse City on August 25 - 27, 2019. Reserve your spot now.

Four‐person Scramble (Limited to first 100 golfers)

Monday, August 26, 2019 Tee‐off time: 2:30 p.m. Cost: $53 per person Includes 18 holes with cart (non‐refundable) Reservations guaranteed only when golf is paid in full. Spruce Golf Course – Golf attire is required by the course; all golfers must be in a collared shirt, walking shorts or long pants. Denim jeans or denim shorts are NOT permitted. NO tank tops, NO tee shirts, NO spikes.

TC CYCLE PUB TOUR For those interested in a golf alternative, we will be doing a unique pub crawl this year. For a mere $25 per person, we will be traveling around Traverse City using peddle power and stopping at a few of TC’s most popular drinking establishments. Please call Nancy Ciccone at (248) 524‐ 3200 before August 16, 2019 to reserve your spot. Very limited seating. Members are responsible for the cost of their drinks at our stops. REGISTRATION FORM (Make checks payable to POLC/Golf) Golfers Names

Phone # and Department Name

______________________________________ ________________________________________

_________________________________________ ____________________________________________ _________________________________________ ____________________________________________ _________________________________________ ____________________________________________ This registration must be returned before Thursday, August 1, 2019 to: POLC/GELC Golf Outing Police Officers Labor Council 667 E. Big Beaver Rd., Ste. 205, Troy, MI 48083‐1413

4 • SUMMER 2019

The Police Officers Journal

Ford 2020 Police Interceptor Utility boasts lifesaving design — Excerpted from news media

olice Officers have one more line of defense against being injured by other drivers. Ford Motor Company has redesigned the body of the 2020 Police Interceptor Utility, which includes 160 pounds of extra steel to create a substructure that helps protect occupants in a rear-end collision. Police Interceptor Utility is the only vehicle in the world that claims to provide 75-mph rear-impact protection. Testing was conducted at Ford’s crash barrier facility in Dearborn. The crash test rating exceeds the federal impact safety standard of 50 mph. The protective frame addresses police safety concerns, especially during roadside traffic stops when getting hit from behind is not uncommon. “Officers are medically retired” because of being struck, Michigan State Police 1st Lt. Mike Shaw said in a Detroit Free Press article. “Officers have been killed in cars that are totaled or pinned between vehicles. When we’re looking at line-of-duty deaths, the majority aren’t gunfire-related, they are traffic crash-related.” Michigan’s “Move Over” law requires drivers to move over one lane when passing stationary emergency vehicles with flashing lights. If drivers cannot switch lanes, they must reduce their speed 10 miles below the speed limit or face a $400 fine. Since its launch in 2013, Ford affixed a steel X-shaped metal brace to the floor of the police SUV to meet the 75-mph test. In 2020, the design also includes a bigger, stronger ladder-like steel safety frame. The steel “X” transfers energy to both sides of the vehicle. “These pieces together are primary bracing we use to handle the absorption for the 75-mile per hour rear impact,” said Bill Gubing, Ford’s lead engineer on the vehicle, in the article. “Those are high-strength steel tubes. We put a layer of reinforcement between the floor pan and the seating surfaces. It holds both sides of the car together, so it can’t break apart. The structure stays intact and strong, allowing less crush.” Current technology also protects the fuel tank and the hybrid bat-

Courtesy of Ford Motor Company

The 2020 Ford Police Interceptor Utility has an enhanced steel X-shaped brace with a bigger, stronger ladder-like steel safety frame.

tery. “We’re the only ones in the industry with this rear certification and bracing,” Gubing said in the article. “This increases the chance of officer survival.” Engineers at Ford worked with law enforcement on design changes for officer safety. Factory-installed Police Perimeter Alert uses sensors to detect nearby movement to alert the driver of suspicious activity. When such motion is detected, the system automatically turns on the rear camera, sounds a chime, rolls up the windows, and locks the doors. In head-to-head testing, the Explorer-based police vehicle will be the fastest cop car on the street, able to reach 150 mph, according to test data from the Michigan State Police. The 2020 Police Interceptor Utility is the first pursuit-rated SUV available with a gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain. The gas or hybrid vehicles range from $37,000 to $41,000 but may be sold for less because police agencies require a competitive bidding process. Orders are being taken now and delivery is scheduled to start this summer. d

www.polc.org

• 5

The Police Officers Journal

Good first impression lands Oakland Academy grad LEEP Award, Officer job — By Jennifer Gomori, POJ Editor

icholas Shoemaker made a good impression at Oakland Police Academy right from the start. His hard work and demeanor landed him a $1,000 Law Enforcement Education Program (LEEP) Award and a full-time Police Officer position with Royal Oak Police Department. “He’ll be able to graduate in uniform,” said Oakland Police Academy Director David Ceci. “Royal Oak came in to recruit in Week 2 of the academy. I said, ‘That young man right there, that’s the one you want to look at.’ He’s that solid of an individual. He was just so respectful … and I got a good read from him right away. He has not disappointed from that first couple of weeks — he’s been solid the whole time.” Royal Oak PD kept Shoemaker in mind and offered him the position at the end of academy. Shoemaker was one of 20 non-sponsored cadets in a class of 33 who graduated June 14. The 23-year-old was chosen for the LEEP Award, which is given to a non-sponsored recruit based on peer evaluations, academic performance and overall skills. “He’s honestly a well-rounded person, but I think one of his strongest characteristics is he is a nice guy,” Ceci said. “He’s professional, he’s kind, he is smart, and he’s well spoken. People take a liking to him because of the way he carries himself.” “I was really honored to get (the LEEP Award),” Shoemaker said.

Photo by Keith Tolman

Oakland Police Academy Director David Ceci (left) presents Nicholas Shoemaker with his LEEP Award.

“I think we had a really good group of cadets and it was great to learn from all of them. I’m a humble guy and it makes me feel good that the instructors and director saw something in me. I put my all into everything I did at the academy.” Shoemaker, who graduated Michigan State University with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, was also chosen for the MCOLES Outstanding Recruit Award. “He is a hard worker. When things got tough, he never complained,” Ceci said. “He leads by example.” d

LEEP Award winner hired by Dearborn Heights PD right after graduation — By Jennifer Gomori, POJ Editor

ayne County Regional Police Training Academy (WCRPTA) graduate William Ruch made the transition from cadet to full-time Police Officer in a couple weeks and picked up a Law Enforcement Education Program (LEEP) Award to help him pay some bills in the meantime. Ruch was also given a $225 Kehrl Award from Schoolcraft College Foundation for being third academically, with a 94 percent average. “That’s with taking 10 Directors’ Test, the legal exam and firearms test. The Directors Test deals with everything from constitutional law to search and seizures,” said WCRPTA Director Anthony Mencotti. “He’s consistently done excellent in firearms, excellent in defensive tactics and when I say excellent, I’m talking hands-on driving pursuit, hands-on defensive tactics dealing with a combative subject. Physically he’s extremely gifted. He has a tremendous heart — he never gives up.” Continued on page 10

6 • SUMMER 2019

Photo courtesy of Dearborn Heights Police Department

Wayne County Regional Police Academy Graduate William Ruch, a newly hired Dearborn Heights Police Officer, received a LEEP Award May 2, 2019.

The Police Officers Journal

National Guardman receives LEEP Award to help with academy costs — By Jennifer Gomori, POJ Editor

yle Applebee has a history of serving his country, but the Law Enforcement Regional Training Academy (LERTA) graduate needed a little help himself when it came to paying for his police academy training. Applebee, who graduated with a 94.5% average, was awarded a $1,000 Law Enforcement Education Program (LEEP) Award for being the highest scoring, non-sponsored recruit overall. He was one of 11 pre-service cadets in the academy’s graduating class of 19 recruits May 2, 2019. “It’s always great to be recognized for something like that,” Applebee said. “It bridges the gap post-academy and being unemployed. It helps take care of some necessary things, like bills. It would be a little more difficult without having this award.” The 27-year-old former U.S. Marine Reserve enlisted in the Michigan National Guard in April 2018 after serving 6-1/2 years in the Marines and completing his Criminal Justice bachelor’s degree at Grand Valley State University. “I did attend my National Guard drill weekends throughout this academy, so that helped as well because I did receive some money for that,” he said. “Also, I took out financial aid, so this award helps me pay that back.” Applebee was hired as a full-time Flint Township Police Officer

Photo courtesy of LERTA

Police Officers Labor Council Executive Committee member Collin Birnie (left) presents LERTA graduate Kyle Applebee with a $1,000 LEEP Award at his graduation.

shortly after graduation. He felt the academy structure prepared him well as every cadet takes on different roles, including leadership positions. “To be given this award means a lot to me,” he said. “I couldn’t have really done it without the help of the academy staff and instructors. They just do a stellar job. The instruction they gave in the 16 weeks was some of the best I’ve had.” d

LEEP Award winner follows in family’s footsteps — By Jennifer Gomori, POJ Editor

acomb Police Academy graduate Eric Posavetz is following in his family’s footsteps. The Law Enforcement Education Program (LEEP) Award winner graduated alongside his brother, Ryan on May 20, 2019. Ryan, 27, was hired by Clinton Township Police Department, where their father, Fred Posavetz, is Police Chief. The brothers’ uncle, Jim Watson, is also a retired Detroit Police Officer. “It was always law enforcement that made me excited,” said Eric Posavetz. “I like the idea of keeping our community safe. Dad being a K9 handler and having the K9s at the house, I always loved the stories about protecting people. He’s always been my role model since I was a little kid. If I could be half the man that he was, I will have a very good career in law enforcement.” Posavetz, 25, also knew he didn’t want an 8-hour a day desk job and he would enjoy the variety that comes with law enforcement. “I don’t know how some people do the same things day in and day out. I like that every day is a different challenge,” he said. “I like the idea you can make a difference in your community.”

Clinton Township Police Chief Fred Posavetz (center) with his sons, LEEP Award recipient Eric Posavetz (left) and Clinton Township Police Officer Ryan Posavetz.

He earned a General Studies associates degree from Macomb Community College, which will become a Criminal Justice degree once he takes one final law enforcement course. Posavetz hopes to work with his dad and brother at Clinton Township Police Department. In the meantime, the co-owner of Size Up Supplement, a Novi vitamin store, continues to run his business and Continued on page 9

www.polc.org

• 7

Member News Shell game results in POLC filing two grievances against Employer — As reported by the POLC/GELC Legal Staff

fter negotiations with Bloomfield Township resulted in a tentative bargaining agreement, the Employer attempted to make changes to the prescription drug program calling them “clarifications” on two occasions. This shell game led the POLC to file two grievances against Bloomfield Township with the Arbitrator ruling on behalf of the Union. After reaching a tentative bargaining agreement in December 2016, the Employer moved Employee prescription coverage from the Standard Drug List to the Value Drug List and removed over-thecounter drugs from coverage. This caused the POLC to file the first grievance on behalf the Employees. After negotiating a resolution to the grievance, the Employer proposed returning to the Standard Drug List, but still excluding over the counter (OTC) medications. Eventually, the matter was resolved with Employees returning to the Standard Drug List with no explicit exceptions. The Township Supervisor signed this agreement. The Union later learned that, although Employees had been placed back on the Standard Drug List, the Employer was excluding all anti-histamines and virtually all proton pump inhibitors from coverage. This led the POLC to file a second grievance, which went to arbitration. The Union argued the agreement didn’t contain any exclusions to the Standard Drug List and the Employer excluded two entire classes of drugs, which far exceeds a “clarification” for over-thecounter medications.

The Union argued the agreement didn’t contain any exclusions to the Standard Drug List and the Employer excluded two entire classes of drugs, which far exceeds a “clarification” for over-thecounter medications. The Employer argued the Township Supervisor did not have the authority to alter the agreement by removing the OTC drugs — only the Township Board had that authority. They also had testimony from a chemist and pharmacist employed by the health insurer. The Union disputed the pharmacist’s contention that most of the drugs were chemically similar to OTC medicines and Employees could take multiple doses of an OTC drug to reach the prescribed dose in many cases. The Arbitrator ruled in favor of the Union based on interpretation of the original tentative agreement “clarification,” which meant there would be post-contract negotiations to further discuss which drugs would be excluded from coverage. d

Contract Settlements — As reported by POLC/GELC Labor Representatives

Norton Shores Command

Agreement three-year extension expires June 30, 2024. *The existing bargaining agreement was set to expire July 1, 2021. Wages: 2.5% effective July 1, 2021 for Corporals. 2.5% effective July 1, 2022 for Corporals. 2.5% effective July 1, 2023 for Corporals. 1.5% effective July 1, 2021 for Sergeants & Lieutenants. 1.5% effective July 1, 2022 for Sergeants & Lieutenants. 1.5% effective July 1, 2023 for Sergeants & Lieutenants. Health Care: Establishes retiree health care for family and dependents for Employees hired before July 1, 2012. Retiree health care for new hires established. Employees hired after July 1, 2019 receive $25 for each year of service to a maximum of $625 a month toward retiree health care. Bargaining Team: Michael Kasher and Joel Hoeksema aided by POLC Labor Representatives John Stidham and Jason Owen.

8 • SUMMER 2019

Norton Shores Patrol Officers

Agreement three-year extension expires June 30, 2024. *The existing bargaining agreement was set to expire ® July 1, 2021. Wages: 2.5% effective July 1, 2021. 2.5% effective July 1, 2022. 2.5% effective July 1, 2023. Health Care: Retiree health care for new hires established. Employees hired after July 1, 2019 receive $25 for each year of service to a maximum of $625 a month toward retiree health care. Retirement: Increase Defined Contribution by Employer from 7% to 8% of wages. Bargaining Team: Todd Swanker aided by POLC Labor Representatives John Stidham and Jason Owen. d

New Units Pinckney Village Patrol Officers join POLC for lasting change — By Jennifer Gomori, POJ Editor

inckney Village Police Department has been more of a stepping stone for officers who have historically moved on to other departments. POLC Labor Rep. Duane Smith hopes to change that. “It’s one of those places that people leave, so my job is to make it enticing enough that they want to stay,” Smith said. The smaller paycheck that comes with working for a small department deters Village of Pinckney Patrol Officers from making a longterm commitment to the community. “It’s kind of a short-term department. They’re very lowly paid for police,” Smith said. Pinckney Village Patrol Officers voted to join the POLC at the end of April 2019 to change that. “Everybody was on board,” said Local Union President Chris Doolan. Doolan said their unit chose POLC to represent them based on its positive reputation compared to some of the negative comments they’ve heard about POAM. “POLC represents Hamburg Township (Patrol and Command) and that’s really why we chose them,” she said. “We’re right next to them. We back them up. They back us up. The POLC Rep. got Hamburg a higher percentage than usual, which bumped their pay up to where it should be.” Formerly represented by Michigan Association of Police (MAP),

Pinckney Patrol’s contract expires June 30, 2019. Smith said he will focus on wage increases in contract negotiations. Pinckney Patrol received reasonable wage increases in their MAP contract, Smith said, “But they are so underpaid they need a big adjustment to get where need to be.” “They have full paid healthcare. They have a MERS pension. That’s pretty decent, except nobody’s ever retired from there before,” Smith said. Doolan said they also have concerns about overtime compensation with their 12-hour shift work and a lack of bereavement pay. “There is some clause that says they don’t have to pay us overtime until 85-1/2 hours,” Doolan said. “If I work 13 hours, I am not getting overtime until I work beyond 13.5 hours that day. If we go in for traffic court or trial, you’re automatically guaranteed two hours of pay, but that two hours will only result in a half hour of overtime. This week I worked 17 hours yesterday and 14 hours this morning and I’m only getting 5-1/2 hours of overtime for working 31 hours in a 48-hour period.” Doolan feels confident going into negotiations. “I’m impressed so far. The contact is important to me and (POLC Membership Services) Lloyd (Whetstone) and Duane have both been very responsive in reaching out to me,” she said. d

LEEP Award Winner Continued from page 7

apply to other departments. “I kind of get the best of both worlds. I own my own store. At the same time, I really wanted to go into Criminal Justice,” Posavetz said. “I will be working at a department with 12-hour shifts. If it gets to the point where it’s too overwhelming, I can sell my share of the store.” During the 11-hour days at the academy, he had someone else run the store. “I was getting a paycheck for managing, but when I started academy, I stopped working,” he said, adding a lot of his income was invested in the store. “It’s a really new store, so (the LEEP Award) definitely helped me out tremendously paying my bills.” Posavetz was one of 24 original pre-service cadets in the class of 44. Macomb Police Academy Director Ray Macksoud was impressed with his work ethic, maturity, determination and character. “He kept up to the physical standards. He did well academically,” Macksoud said. “Everything he did, he put forward the effort while still maintaining his business and (training at) the academy.” “When he’s talking to you, he’s serious and presents himself well,” LEEP Award winner Eric Posavetz (left) graduated Macomb Police Macksoud said. “I think the best trait I can say is he combined hard Academy with his brother Ryan (right) who was hired by Clinton Township Police. work with maturity and he was focused on a goal.” d

www.polc.org

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New Units Lansing Township Police tout POLC for making them feel like they matter — By Jennifer Gomori, POJ Editor

ansing Township Police Department may be a small, especially in comparison to the much larger city department, but they shouldn’t lack attention from their Union simply because of size. That’s a key component of the business model Police Officers Labor Council (POLC) is known for and the reason why the Township department decided to leave Capital City Labor Program, Inc. and become POLC members Nov. 30, 2018. A month later their contract expired and the POLC went into negotiations for them. “POLC has been great. The members are very happy about it. We feel like we’re represented for the first time in quite a while,” said local union President Pat Herson. “We just weren’t getting the sense of mattering with our old unit. We’re not a big bargaining unit so we just always didn’t get the attention.” Some Lansing Township Officers knew POLC Labor Rep. John Stidham from having worked with him. They also heard about the POLC through representation of neighboring departments. “I personally belonged to an agency that belongs to POLC and POLC used to represent Lansing Township (Command),” Herson said, speaking of

his time with the Barry County Sheriff’s Department, a POLC unit. Stidham said the two-person Lansing Township Command Unit was represented by POLC in 2010 when he became a POLC Labor Rep. ® “They were already discussing going with Capital City and promised me it was not because of POLC or its’ service but wanted to be whole with the department and in unison with the road patrol unit,” Stidham said. “They left POLC, so I was never able to work with them on a contract. Those members have now retired.” “John’s always been an upfront individual,” Herson said. “He also represented a couple other groups I knew of. I had some questions and they weren’t being answered by our people and so I called John and he was really quick to help us.” When Stidham recently took a short medical leave, fellow POLC Labor Rep. Greg Huggett stepped in to work on contract talks while he was off. “It was one of those feelings where even though we’re a 14-man unit, they made us feel like we’re a 150-man unit,” Herson said. d

Hired by Dearborn

job. The final four weeks are very crucial. Your team has to look sharp. He’s responsible for making sure everyone is on time, shoes and uniforms neat and pressed, clean shaven if it’s a guy. I need someone I can really count on to make sure that’s done.” Ruch is looking forward to expanding his law enforcement knowledge as a Dearborn Heights Police Officer. “There’s a lot of different bureaus within the department,” he said. “I’m going to test out a few things and find my niche in the department.” d

Continued from page 6

Ruch was one of 23 pre-service cadets in a graduating class of 44 May 2, 2019. His nearly five years as a Booking Officer at Dearborn Heights PD gave him a leg up on the non-sponsored competition. On May 20, he was sworn-in as a Dearborn Heights Police Officer. “I worked in the jail doing prison intake, monitoring the prisoners while in custody,” Ruch said of his former part-time position. “At that time, I was attending Madonna University, getting my bachelor’s in Criminal Justice. My friend at the college was working there and another family friend was a Reserve Officer with Dearborn Heights and he let me know they were looking for people.” Ruch, 24, recommends law enforcement students get real life experience. “Doing it and talking to people about it academically is a different experience,” he said. “I thought it was a very good experience to kind of test the waters to see if I would actually enjoy law enforcement. Livonia has Public Service Aides and I know a few others do as well. If you find yourself enjoying that, it’s probably right for you.” Ruch was Sergeant twice in the academy. “I appointed him to be a Sergeant of his team for the last four weeks, which is very important because this is graduation day and family day,” Mencotti said. “Out of his team, he’s the guy I chose because he did a very good 10 • SUMMER 2019

Like, Follow POLC on Facebook for law enforcement news To encourage member communications, the Police Officers Labor Council is now active on Facebook. POLC members are encouraged to Like and Follow Police Officers Labor Council on Facebook for law enforcement news, member updates and more. If there is something you would like to Share on POLC’s Facebook site, click on the Message link to reach POLC Labor Rep. Chris Watts on Facebook or send him an email at cwattspolc@ hotmail.com d