Page 13 - The Wayne Dispatch

Family man serving the City of Wayne with integrity

By Carolyn Marnon matters if you don’t have integrity.
“I’d like to thank the Mayor, mem- You have no business being in this
bers of Council and the City Manager profession if you can’t be honest in
for giving me this opportunity. I in- words and actions.” A chief also
tend to reward your confidence with needs to work hard to be taken seri-
hard work and integrity for the rest ously. As the face of the department,
of my life,” said newly appointed Po- the police chief also needs good com-
lice Chief Ryan Strong as he ad- munication skills. Ryan says he has
dressed the council at his March 19 to communicate with the people he
swearing-in ceremony. works for-the mayor, council, city
“I’d like to thank my wife and chil- manager, the staff under him and the
dren for their endless love and sup- community. He expects his officers
port, particularly over the last few to have these traits as well. “Set a
weeks. My mother is also here good example in all things.”
tonight. She taught me the values of “I’m excited about this next chap-
hard work and integrity I just men- ter in my career. The City of Wayne
tioned along with the benefits of a ca- has been very good to me the last
reer in public service.” Chief Ryan Strong is joined by his family: mother Marcia, daughter Shannon, son twenty years. I plan to work very
“My uncle, Kevin Courtney, who Sean and his wife Julie at his swearing in as Police Chief Ceremony in March. hard. If you’re going to pay me, I’m
drove all the way from Big Rapids to Saginaw at the time. he says, for a wide variety of reasons. going to work hard for you. I take in-
be here tonight. I’ve been lucky to After graduating from Michigan His top goals include staffing, a tegrity very seriously.”
have him in my life. Much of what State with a Criminal Justice degree, wellness program and equipment. Things you might not know about
I’ve learned about leadership in law Ryan learned of a federal program The staffing problem can’t be solved Ryan Strong:
enforcement has been from him.” called Police Corps that could send overnight, he says. He would like an Hunting is an important part of
“Retired Chief Mike Sumeracki is him to the police academy followed officer in the high school building his life, especially deer hunting. He
here tonight as well. He hired me in by a four-year commitment at an un- positive relationships with the stu- has been going hunting with the
1999. I’ve met few better men in my derstaffed police department. After dents. He wants physical and mental same group for about 30 years.
life than him.” those four years, the Police Corp wellness activities for his officers. He He enjoys hiking. Hiking the Ap-
“Thank you also to my good would then reimburse him for his also wants the officers to have the palachian Trail is on his bucket list.
friend Al Maciag for his personal and college education. He took the oppor- equipment they need to do the job. He did some great hikes with his
professional guidance over the years. tunity and was assigned to the Wayne The department recently received brother and sister-in-law in Bend,
All the past leaders of this depart- Police Department. He liked it here a grant allowing in-car video and Oregon where they live.
ment have helped to build a highly so much he never left. body cams, which the department He’s a big dog lover. He has a
respected law enforcement organiza- Ryan became a police officer in should have within the next month. golden retriever named Zeke that he
tion. I’m humbled to follow in their 1999 and went on to get a Master de- A new police car is in service, and a takes for an 8-10 mile walk every
footsteps.” gree. After about 10 years, he was $100,000 grant was received for weekend. He says his daughter
“To the men and women of the promoted to Sargeant on the mid- heating/cooling in the police building. wants to be a veterinarian when she
Wayne Police Department, thank you night shift. He moved up the ranks His most memorable career mo- grows up.
all for what you do. Our department to Lieutenant where he has been in ment was getting sworn in as police He’s a huge Johnny Cash fan. He
would not be what it is without your charge of patrol and the detective bu- chief and seeing his mom, wife, chil- has a Johnny Cash calendar hanging
service. I’ll work hard to give you the reau. In December, he was promoted dren, uncle, the men of the police de- in his office. When Johnny died, he
same opportunities that I’ve had over to Acting Police Chief when Alan Ma- partment and the police chief who went to New York for an auction of
my career. Serving the community is ciag, the former Wayne Police Chief hired him into the Wayne Police De- Johnny Cash items and bought two
one of our top priorities in law en- and current Northville Police Chief, partment in the audience. gold records.
forcement. Please just remember to retired. What has been the biggest change His favorite dates with his wife in-
make yourselves and your families a Becoming Police Chief was one of from Lieutenant to Chief? “More ad- volve live music. They lean toward
priority as well. Thank you.” Ryan’s goals, although he does say ministrative,” he says. He has to Americana music, like Rosanne
Chief Strong always wanted to be that there is value in all levels of po- make sure the officers have what Cash. He’s a college professor. He’s
a police officer when he was growing lice work. “The lowest level is mak- they need to do their jobs-equip- taught criminal justice courses at the
up. Growing up in Birch Run, Michi- ing the biggest difference being out ment, training, staff and resources Detroit satellite campus of Ferris
gan, Ryan was surrounded by family with the people, arresting criminals,” properly allocated. State for the last ten years. He also
in public service. His mother was a says Ryan. “I’m so proud of you. I told all my teaches online courses at Baker Col-
city manager who taught him the The challenge before Chief Strong friends,” Ryan says his 11-year old lege. Since he’s not out arresting bad
value of public service. His uncle has is increasing staffing. He thanks the daughter told him. He’s been mar- guys anymore, he enjoys mentoring
been police chief in Big Rapids and city council and the city manager for ried for 16 years and says he young people. He likes seeing how
has been Ryan’s mentor. Ryan says supporting his efforts. The depart- wouldn’t have made it this far with- their careers develop. Several Police
he learned integrity and leadership ment has two officers who graduated out his wife. She knows he’s worked Service Aides (PSA) at the depart-
in law enforcement from him. It was last spring from the police academy hard and been very supportive of ment are former students.
an honor that his uncle came all the and currently has two attending the him. He loves to bake bread, especially
way from Big Rapids to see him academy. Staffing is not a problem Above all else, integrity is the sourdough. He says the dough is al-
sworn in as police chief. His aunt Wayne alone has. Every police de- number one thing a police chief ways fermenting in the fridge. He
was the first female police officer in partment is facing staffing shortages, needs, notes Ryan. “Nothing else leaves the sweeter baking to his wife.
The Wayne Dispatch · April 2019 · 13