Sterling Heights Police Chief Michael Reese recently announced his retirement. Chief Reese’s final day with Sterling Heights Police Department is set for December 11, 2015.
Chief Reese has served the Sterling Heights Police Department for 37 years. He was initially hired in 1978 as an officer and, over the years, moved through the ranks to become the top leader of the department. Chief Reese has been in his current position for seven years after receiving a promotion in 2008.
“It has been my honor to serve as Chief of Police for the Sterling Heights Police Department and I want to thank the Mayor, City Council, City staff and most importantly the residents of Sterling Heights for their support,” Chief Reese said. “I am proud of the department’s success in my years as Chief, but it is important to point out that nothing could have been achieved without the hard work, dedication and commitment displayed by our officers and non-sworn personnel. Working for the City of Sterling Heights has been the highlight of my police career and one that I will cherish for years to come.”
Under Chief Reese’s leadership, the Sterling Heights Police Department achieved the following notable accomplishments:
• Regionalized the Police Dispatch Center
• Privatized the Police Department Detention Facility
• Worked to help pass the Safe Streets Millage in 2013
• Ensured Sterling Heights ranked as one of the top safest cities with populations over 100,000 in Michigan for past seven (7) years
• Implemented the Police Department’s Special Response Team and School Safety program
• Developed succession plan to address department retirements
• Established Citizens on Patrol (COPS) and the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
“Chief Reese has done an incredible job leading the Sterling Heights Police Department and he will be greatly missed,” said Mayor Michael C. Taylor. “Through out Chief Reese’s tenure, Sterling Heights has consistently ranked as one of the safest large cities in the state of Michigan and the entire country. Chief Reese’s leadership is largely to thank for our city’s continued safe and family-friendly reputation. On behalf of the entire City Council, I would like to wish Chief Reese the best of luck in the future.”
“Chief Reese has earned a reputation of being fair and balanced and able to tackle major initiatives in the department,” said City Manager Mark Vanderpool. “In his tenure, he placed a high value on developing the department’s outstanding workforce, providing officers and commanders with state-of-the-art tools and high levels of training to ensure best practices were being implemented. I am grateful to have worked with such an outstanding professional as Chief Reese.”
Police Captain John Berg has been named Interim Chief of the Sterling Heights Police Department. Captain Berg started as a Police Officer in Sterling Heights in 1989. He was promoted to Sergeant in 1995, Lieutenant in 2000 and Captain in 2009. He has a BA from Wayne State University in Interdisciplinary Studies and has attended the FBI Academy and Eastern Michigan University School of Staff and Command.
The City of Sterling Heights will soon begin its search for the new Chief of Police. The process for selecting a new Police Chief will commence over the next few weeks and is expected to take 4 to 5 months. The search will consist of a recruitment period and candidate participation in a formal and comprehensive assessment center process. The finalist will be selected by the City Manager from the top three candidates. The City Manager's selection will require confirmation by the City Council.
Media seeking additional information can contact Community Relations Director Bridget Doyle at (586) 446-2471 or bdoyle@sterling-heights.net.