Officer Serman 2024 Officer of the Year

Police Officer of the Year 2024 Award winner James Serman with Police Chief Ryan Strong.

By Sarah Shurge – On Tuesday, May 6th, at the City of Wayne’s Council meeting, Officer James Serman was presented with the 2024 Police Officer of the Year Award.
Each year the Wayne Police Department’s Awards Committee – which consists of patrol officers, command officers, and the police chief – meet to select a Police Officer of the Year Award recipient as well as other individual awards for exemplary service.
“Officer Serman has a high degree of integrity and cares deeply about his fellow officers and the community. We are lucky to have him as a member of the department, and he is highly deserving of this award,” said Wayne Police Chief Ryan Strong. Officer Serman was nominated by his supervisor for his hard work and positive attitude.
Officer Serman spent much of last year as the School Resource Officer at Wayne Memorial High School, where he built relationships with students, staff, and the community. “He takes time to make his presence known in the community, not just the high school,” said Chief Strong.
Officer Serman also spent time assisting the Investigations Bureau, where he was instrumental in helping to solve a homicide case. The team received information about a suspect’s vehicle at a hotel. Officer Serman spent time during his off time looking for the vehicle and was able to locate it.
“This led us to quickly identifying the suspect and getting a conviction for homicide,” said Chief Strong.
There were two things that Officer Serman wanted to do in life: go into the military like his father and be a police officer. Officer Serman accomplished both of those dreams.
In 2013, Officer Serman enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served active duty for five years.
“I knew from a young age that I wanted to be a police officer to help people,” said Officer Serman. In 2021, Officer Serman joined the Wayne Police Department (WPD).
During his three years at the WPD, Officer Serman has received multiple commendations, including one for finding the homicide vehicle.
“My time at the high school for a year and a half was very eye opening. It helped me be a better officer and taught communication skills. It helped me when I got back on road patrol to communicate with the public easier,” said Officer Serman.
Officer Serman was stationed at Wayne Memorial High School which is the same high school he graduated from. “My Lieutenant was actually my School Resource Officer,” said Officer Serman.
Officer Serman is currently on road patrol, but his end goal is to be the next canine handler or supervisor. “I want to thank all the supervisors that I’ve had and my training officers, they set a good foundation for me. They helped instill what it is to be a good police officer. If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be in the position I am,”said Officer Serman.
Congratulations to Officer Serman for his well-deserved recognition!
For more information about the Wayne Police Department, visit cityofwayne.com/159/Police or you can find them on Facebook by searching “City of Wayne, Michigan Police Department.”