3 Finalists Named In Search For Grand Rapids’ Next Police Chief

From the City of Grand Rapids: City Manager Mark Washington this morning announced the finalists in the search for Grand Rapids’ next police chief. They are Lansing Police Chief Michael Yankowski, retired Pittsburgh Assistant Police Chief Larry Scirotto and Grand Rapids Deputy Police Chief Eric Payne.

The community is invited to meet the finalists during a forum set for 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, June 13 at Cesar E. Chavez Elementary School, 1205 Grandville Ave. SW. The finalists will provide brief remarks and then answer questions from attendees, those watching the livestream on the City’s Facebook and community members who submit them in advance. Questions may be submitted HERE or via social media using the hashtag #grchiefsearch. Spanish interpretation services will be provided during the forum.

Here’s a look at the finalists:

• Yankowski is a 25-year veteran of the Lansing Police Department, serving as chief since 2013. He leads 248 sworn and non-sworn personnel. Yankowski has focused the department’s efforts in several areas: building trust with the community, recruiting and hiring diverse employees, reducing violent crime, increasing training and officer wellness, and strengthening policy and accountability. He also helped develop policing strategies that addressed marijuana dispensary safety issues. Before becoming chief, he was a police captain responsible for the patrol division and 150 personnel. He also worked in Internal Affairs and as a patrol watch commander, canine handler and supervisor, and street supervisor.
• Scirotto served with the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police for 23 years, becoming its youngest assistant chief. Before that, he was commander of Zone 3 – Pittsburgh’s most known entertainment district – and then led the Major Crimes Division. He later led the department’s Professional Standards Branch and was responsible for internal affairs, training education, officer wellness and safety, and policy oversight. He oversaw the department’s policy implementation efforts related to the national initiative for building community trust and justice. The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police has an authorized staff of 950 sworn officers.
• Payne has served the Grand Rapids Police Department for 33 years. As deputy chief of operations, he leads the Patrol Division, Special Response Team, Traffic Unit, Office of Special Events and Canine Unit. He oversee a team of five captains, eight lieutenants, 23 sergeants and 159 officers. Payne previously served as captain of the Investigative Division, which includes the Detective, Vice and Forensic Services units. He also was captain of the South Service Area and the department’s crisis negotiation team as well as administrative lieutenant of the South Service Area and patrol watch commander. He supervised the major case, combined auto theft, burglary and general case teams. The department has 297 sworn officers.

The finalists’ full bios are available HERE.

“These finalists have proven senior executive law enforcement experience,” Washington said. “They are outstanding leaders and they have devoted their careers to keeping communities safe. They also are committed to collaboration and building trust with the community.

“I look forward to community members meeting the finalists on June 13 and asking questions that are important to them.”

The national search produced a strong pool of candidates, according to Gary Peterson, president and CEO of Public Sector Search and Consulting, who led the process.

“Candidates included several current or past police chiefs and several candidates with experience in a major city – top 50 in the U.S. by population – above the rank of captain,” Peterson said. “This was a very strong and diverse candidate pool.”

The finalists will participate in a series of closed interviews. Washington will meet with the finalists June 14 and announce his selection by the end of June.