Westland, MI (September 22, 2020) - On Monday, September 22, 2020, the Westland Police Department swore in three new officers to the force, and promoted two veteran police officers.
Officer Skulina has served as a Westland Police Service Aid (PSA) for four years and a PSA trainer for two and a half years. Skulina grew up in Livonia and graduated from Livonia Franklin High School. He obtained an Associate's Degree in Criminal Justice from Schoolcraft College and graduated from the Wayne County Police Academy in April. He is currently training in the Field Training Program.
Officer Kelly was born in Detroit and raised in Clinton Township. Kelly graduated from Ferris State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice and is currently worked towards a Master's Degree at Wayne State. She has ten years of experience in the Criminal Justice field. After serving in various positions in jails as well as road patrol.
Officer Opett is a Westland resident and a graduate from Franklin High School. After graduating high school Opett served in the Marine Corps infantry for five years. After leaving the military he was hired by the Detroit Police Department, where he served for four years. While in Detroit, Opett was assigned to patrol for two years and then spent the next two years assigned to gang enforcement.
Both Officers Cale Furney and Brandon Paris have been promoted to the rank of Sergeant.
Sergeant Furney grew up in Climax, MI. After graduating high school, Furney attended Grand Valley State University where he obtained his bachelors degree in Criminal Justice and then went on to attend their Police Academy. Furney worked for the South Haven Police Department and also Hamtramck Police Department prior to coming to Westland. He served as a Police Officer in the Westland Police Department for 8 years prior to this promotion and is currently serving as a Day Shift Patrol Supervisor.
Sergeant Paris grew up in Dearborn and is a graduate of Dearborn High School.
He obtained his Associate's Degree in Criminal Justice in 2004 from Henry Ford Community College then went on to graduate from the Wayne County Regional Police Academy. Paris worked full-time at the Taylor Police Department as a Police Cadet prior to being hired by the Westland Police Department in 2006. He continued his education and obtained his Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice from Madonna University in 2014. Over his 13 year career, Paris has worked in the Traffic Bureau, as a field training officer, evidence tech, on the Traffic Investigation Team, an Emergency Vehicle Operations instructor, on the Awards Committee, Recruitment Team, and on the Motorcycle Team. He also created the Department's Police Youth Academy and helped create the Department's charity Stuff a Swat Truck event. Outside of the department, Paris is a part-time instructor at both the Wayne County Regional Police Academy and Washtenaw College Police Academy.
Promotions and new hires are typically recognized at a swearing in ceremony attended by elected officials, city department heads and friends and family of the officers but attendees were limited due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"The COVID world has temporarily changed us to zoom meetings and small gatherings, however, recognizing our new and veteran officers is an important part of our department's culture so we wanted to continue on while using safety precautions," commented Westland Police Chief Jeff Jedrusik. "I am very proud to stand up and represent Westland PD as this department continues build upon it's professionalism and serves as a model for other communities."
"In a time where agencies are struggling to find quality candidates we are still able to attract them here in Westland which is a credit to the leadership of Chief Jeff Jedrusik and the entire department's commitment to law enforcement excellence," commented Mayor William R. Wild.
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Pictured from Left to Right: Sergeant Brandon Paris, Sergeant Cale Furney, Officer Frank Opett, Officer Corey Skulina Officer Margaret Kelly, Chief of Police Jeff Jedrusik, Mayor William R. Wild and City Clerk Richard LeBlanc.
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For more information, please contact the Mayor's Office at (734)467-3200
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