ON THE INSIDE: Remembering Capt. Collin Birnie

VOLUME 32, NUMBER 1 • WINTER 2022

Police Officers Labor Council (POLC) 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

Chesterfield Township Police Dept.

Greg Alexander

Oscoda Township Police Dept.

Collin Birnie

Flint Police Dept.

Ryan Shrunk

Battle Creek Police Dept.

Robert Gaiser

Caro City Police Dept.

Troy Taylor

Oak Park Public Safety Dept.

Jeff Gormley

Bloomfield Hills Public Safety Dept.

John Huizdos

Bloomfield Township Police Dept.

DIRECTOR: Robert Figurski

Warren PD (Retired)

MEMBER SERVICES Christopher Watts

PUBLICATIONS Executive Editor: Jennifer Gomori

Loss of Executive Committee member Collin Birnie weighs heavily on comrades, community

— By Jennifer Gomori, POJ Editor with excerpts from news media

Flint Police Captain Collin Birnie, a POLC/GELC Executive Committee member, was killed in a two vehicle crash Feb. 4 in Mt. Morris Township, police said.

Captain Birnie’s vehicle was struck head-on by a Chevy Traverse on Elms Road, between Mt. Morris and Frances roads, Mt. Morris Township Police Chief Michael Veach said in a MLive-The Flint Journal article.

“We are extremely saddened by the sudden loss of Collin,” said POLC Director Rob Figurski. “He was a well-respected leader of the POLC and his department. Collin served his country both in the Marines and throughout his law enforcement career. His passing weighs heavily on all of us. Unfortunately, his life was taken way too soon. He had so much more to contribute and he will be dearly missed. Our sincerest condolences to his family and the members of the Flint Police Department.”

The collision happened while Birnie, 53, was driving northbound about 6 p.m., Veach said in the article. Birnie was transported to Hurley Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased. Veach said he could not comment on the condition of the licensed teenager driving the Chevy Traverse.

“According to witness statements, (the juvenile) was passing vehicles on the left, heading southbound, and lost control, hitting (Birnie) head-on,” Veach said in the article.

Michigan State Police assisted Mt. Morris Police with the crash scene investigation.

“With very heavy hearts, we regret to inform you that Flint PD Captain Collin Birnie died tonight as the result of a traffic crash while on duty,” The Flint Police posted on their Facebook page Feb. 4. “Captain Birnie served with the Flint Police Department for 26 years. His family is asking for privacy at this time. Funeral arrangements will be forthcoming.”

As a Captain in charge of Special Operations and Identification Bureaus, Birnie’s duties included: Bomb Squad, Emergency Management, Dignitary Protection, Honor Guard and Firearms Instructor. A POLC member since 1996, he was the Local Union President for Flint Captains and Lieutenants Association. Prior to that, he had served as Steward, Secretary and Treasurer of the Captains and Lieutenants Association. A United States Marine Corps Veteran (1988-1992), he was assigned to Security Force Company and an Infantry Battalion. Birnie served in Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm.

Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley released the following statement: “We’re saddened by the sudden passing of Captain Collin Birnie. He was a beloved and well-respected leader that took pride in serving and protecting the residents of Flint and Genesee County. We offer our sincere condolences to his family and all those that loved him. Please keep his family in your prayers.”

Birnie is survived by his wife, Tina, two daughters and two granddaughters.

REMEMBERING CAPT. BIRNIE

A memorial service was held Feb. 11 at St. Paul Episcopal Church in Flint with Police and Military honors. Funeral arrangements were handled by Swartz Funeral Home in Flint. Please click here for Captain Birnie’s obituary and to share your condolences.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer ordered U.S. and Michigan flags within the State Capitol Complex and at all Michigan public buildings to be lowered to half-staff Feb. 11 in honor of Captain Birnie.

Officer Collin Rose Memorial Foundation has organized a Memorial Fundraiser for his family and is selling Collin Birnie Memorial Coins with proceeds going to his family. d