GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The Grand Rapids Police Department on Friday announced a new class of command staff appointments recommended by Grand Rapids Chief of Police David Rahinsky to City Manager Greg Sundstrom.
Included in the promotions are three sergeants (promoted from the rank of officer), three lieutenants (promoted from the rank of sergeant), two captains (promoted from the rank of lieutenant) and two deputy chiefs (promoted from the rank of captain). These individuals join three sergeants and a lieutenant who were previously promoted from the same promotional list.
Rahinsky says this latest promotional class continues the department’s commitment to becoming more diverse and representative of the community. The group includes two African-American males and three females promoted from existing departmental personnel.
Rahinsky said all of the men and women promoted to higher ranks in the department are “exceptional law enforcement officers and a tribute to their profession. Together, we look forward to leading our department and continuing our mission to serve and protect the citizens of Grand Rapids. We are committed to operating one of the most responsive and transparent departments in the country.”
All but two of the positions were selected based upon criteria formed by union contract and Civil Service Board guidelines. The two new deputy chief positions were also selected following Civil Service guidelines, and with the unanimous recommendation of a diverse interview team of Rahinsky, Frank Coronado (Grand Rapids Civil Service Board member), Kevin Jackson (Grand Rapids Community Relations Commission), and Mari Beth Jelks (managing director of administrative services).
Filling the deputy chief positions is a part of City Manager Greg Sundstrom’s 12 recommendations to improve community and police relations. This measure will allow the chief of police to spend more of his time interacting with members of the community.
The list of new Grand Rapids command personnel includes:
Deputy chief: David Kiddle and Daniel Savage
Captain: Michael Maycroft and Matthew Ostapowicz
Lieutenant: Geoffrey Collard, Matthew Janiskee and Kristen Rogers
Sergeant: Terry Dixon, Jana Forner and John Purlee
Earlier promotion to lieutenant: Scott Rifenberg
Earlier promotions to sergeant: Joseph Trigg, Catherine Williams and Patrick Baker
The Grand Rapids Police Department’s newly promoted personnel will be officially introduced and welcomed in a ceremony slated for 4 p.m. March 20. The public is invited to stop by the Police Department and congratulate the men and women as they assume their new law enforcement duties.
The Grand Rapids Police Department is located at 1 Monroe Center NW in downtown Grand Rapids.
