Press Release | Office of the Mayor | Westland Police Department Swears in Two New Officers

For Immediate Release | Official Press Release

PRESS RELEASE

OFFICE OF THE MAYOR

36300 Warren Road | Westland, Michigan | 48185

Office 734.467.3200 | Fax 734.422.1230

WWW.CITYOFWESTLAND.COM

Westland Police Department Swears in Two New Officers

From Left to Right: Police Chief Jeff Jedrusik, Officer Kristopher Landis, Officer Shawn Davidson and Westland Mayor William R. Wild

Westland - On Tuesday, February 21 the Westland Police Department welcomed two new officers at a swearing-in ceremony. Both officers come to Westland after years of Public Service in other communities.

Officer Kristopher Landis graduated from Ferris State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice and the Police Academy certification. He was hired by Farmington Hills Police Department where he served for 8.5 years. During his time with Farmington Hills PD, he received numerous unit citations, 3 lifesaving awards and was awarded the 2012 Police Officer of the Year. Landis has been trained in accident investigation and is also an evidence technician.

Officer Shawn Davidson joined the U.S. Army as a Black Hawk Crew Chief straight out of high school. His first assignment was to the 159th Medevac Unit in Germany. Officer Davidson was deployed to Operation Desert Storm where he received the United States Air Force Medal for selfless service in a combat theater. His next assignment was to Ft. Campbell Kentucky where he was awarded the Army Achievement Medal. He was certified in repelling, completed Air Assault School and attained the rank of Sergeant. Davidson was honorably discharged and returned to Michigan where he was hired by the Detroit Police Department and served for 20 years. During his time working for Detroit PD, he was awarded 3 lifesaving awards, several meritorious awards, was nominated for the United States Medal of Valor and was the Officer of the Year in 2014. He is also trained in executive protection and is a defensive tactics instructor.

"Both of these Officers are highly trained, highly skilled professionals," commented Mayor Wild. "It is not often you have the opportunity to hire two former Officer of the Year winners. We are extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to welcome these fine Officers to the Westland Police Department."

For more information, please call Aubrey Berman at (734)467-3200

Westland, Michigan is the state's 10th largest municipality, with a population of over 84,000 people who exhibit a great deal of pride in their All-American City. Westland has a thriving business community along with beautiful residential areas. The citizens enjoy a wide array of amenities and a quality of life that is second to none.

In 2014, Westland was rated as one of 24/7 Wall Street's America's Best 50 Cities to Live, offering residents and visitors an ideal blend of single-family affordable homes, apartments and condominiums, great schools, and access to numerous outdoor activities. Public safety is delivered by full-service, professional law enforcement and firefighting personnel. Westland Police Department, whose motto is protect and serve, provides emergency dispatch services to four cities and over 100,000 residents; the Westland Fire Department are licensed paramedics who responded to over 9,000 calls for service last year, about 85% being medical based. They never forget their mission of preserving life and property.

Westland is well-known as the premier destination for shopping and dining in Wayne County with hundreds if shops and restaurants anchored by the Westland Shopping Center, on of the country's original four regional malls.

Infinite opportunities are available in Westland for the recreation aficionado including, more that 40 parks and 1,500 acres of trails, a 9-hole golf course, hockey arena, athletic fields, playscapes, a Farmers and Artisans Market and more. One of Michigan's most environmentally friendly cities, Westland has a progressive curbside recycling program with one of the highest participation rates in the nation and the City is raising the bar for cultural experiences with the placement of public art throughout the City.

The City is served by two public school districts; Wayne-Westland Community Schools serving 12,000 youth was recently named one of the Best School in Michigan by WXYZ-TV and is the proud recipient of 14 Golden Apple and two Michigan Blue Ribbon Exemplary School Awards. Livonia Public Schools, educating nearly 15,000 students, is proud of their MEAP/MME scores that exceed state averages and the District has also earned Golden Apple and Michigan Blue Ribbon Exemplary School Awards.

The City provides competitive incentives for those who are interested in investing in Westland, making it one of the hottest investment markets in the region. Our Fast-Track to Business Team, which consists of key decision makers who work diligently on a development plan will "cut the red tape" and expedite the approval process for new business development.