Bloomfield Township Names Geof Gaudard New Police Chief

Deputy Chief Geof Gaudard will be the next chief of the Bloomfield Township Police Department, township officials announced Thursday. The Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees will formally make the appointment at its next meeting Monday at 7 p.m.

He replaces Chief Kirt Bowden, who announced his retirement in March. Bowden's last day is May 16, ending a career with the department that started in 1977. The board appointed him chief in 2007.

"I will be honored to be appointed police chief of Bloomfield Township where I can carry on the proud tradition of delivering excellent police services to our residents,” Gaudard said in a written statement. “Chief Bowden has provided a strong foundation for our success and we will continue to build upon that foundation.”

Gaudard joined the department in 1987 and served the community in several capacities over the years, including a field training officer, and command positions with both road patrol and investigative divisions. He also has direct experience with special events as the commander of law enforcement operations for the 2004 Ryder Cup and the 2008 PGA Championship at Oakland Hills Country Club.

He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy and two-time winner of the department's Officer of the Year Award (1993, 1998).

"Deputy Chief Gaudard has excelled throughout his career and I am proud to present him to the Board of Trustees as our choice," Supervisor Leo Savoie said.