Westland, MI - The newly promoted Westland Police Officers and the new hires sworn in prior to last night's City Council meeting were greeted by a packed house in the City Hall council chambers. 

The Westland Police Department inducted seven new officers, promoted three veteran officers to sergeant, and three more to lieutenant. 

The hirings and promotions come on the heels of three retirements and the awarding of a $500,000 federal COPS grant, which will fund the four new officers.

 

The new hires include two individuals who were formerly involved in the Westland Police Department. Jennifer Boljesic is a former Westland Police Service Aide and the daughter of a father with 36 years of experience in law enforcement. Robert Schurig started with the Westland Police Department at age 16 as a "Westland Police Explorer" and left his job as an officer in Auburn Hills to join Westland. 

The new hires also include a Marine veteran and veteran officers from other departments. John Halaas served in the US Marine Corps  from 1995-1999, and was recalled for Operation Enduring Freedom in 2002 and completed another tour in Iraq after joining the reserves in 2004; Halaas is also a former Pittsfield Township police officer. Jason Nevell formerly served with the Detroit Police Department won the 2010 Detroit Police Officer of the Year Award, and he has received a "lifesaving award" on two occasions. Kristopher Richardson, a lifelong Garden City resident, recently retired from the Detroit Police Department after 20 years of service, and has served on a variety of units. 

 

Rodney Donald, is another second generation officer whose father served with Garden City; Donald graduated from Brevard College with a degree in Criminal Justice, while also starring at running back for the football team. And Ed Pawlowski has been working as a cadet for the Dearborn Heights Police Department and graduated from the Wayne County Regional Police Academy in May 2014.

 

"I am proud to welcome these highly qualified police officers to Westland," said Mayor William R. Wild. "Our community looks forward to their service and dedication to the residents." 

 

 

 

Officers Jerry Farrar, Christopher Gazdecki, and Timothy Liess were all promoted to sergeant. Farrar has fourteen years of police experience, including nine with Westland. Gazdecki has served the past fourteen years with Westland after starting his career in Detroit. And Liess is another Westland veteran who also completed two tours of duty in Iraq working Counter-Terrorism Operations with the US Navy Seals. 

 

Officers Kyle Dawley, Randy Thivierge, and Jason Blanchard all received promotions to lieutenant. Dawley has served Westland for the past decade in a variety of roles, and he has now been assigned to the Detective Patrol Division, Detective Bureau, and the Special Investigations Unit. Thivierge has nearly 20 years of experience in law enforcement and was an original member of the perimeter Rifle Team and currently leads the Firearms Program for Westland. And Blanchard began his law enforcement career in 1994 and was hired by Westland in 1995; he has been assigned to the Patrol Division. 

 

"Our promoted officers have displayed leadership and a commitment to protecting and serving our community that deserves recognition," said Mayor Wild. "We look forward to your continued service, and as you can see by this packed house, our community appreciates all the great work you have done so far." 

 

Chief Jeff Jedrusik added, "I am very proud of what this Department has accomplished in the past 5 years and what we intend to complete over the next 5 years.These Officers will be fine additions to our Department and these Supervisors are true leaders who will help take us to the next step."

 

Mayor Wild & Chief Jedrusik with the newly hired officers.

Mayor Wild & Chief Jedrusik with the promoted officers.