Dedicated, decorated Shores Public Safety Department member Tony Spina promoted

GROSSE POINTE SHORES — With dozens of awards — including several for lifesaving — Grosse Pointe Shores Public Safety Sgt. Tony Spina is one of the most decorated members of his department.

Having been officially sworn in as a lieutenant during an Oct. 18 Shores City Council meeting, Spina is now one of his department’s highest-ranking members.

As friends, colleagues and family members — including his sons, Justin, 15, and Alex, 19 — looked on, Mayor Ted Kedzierski administered the oath of office to Spina. Justin Spina pinned his dad’s new badge on his uniform.

“It’s really one of the best parts of my job, when you get to promote someone who’s worked hard and done the work,” Shores Public Safety Director Kenneth Werenski said. “He’s got probably the biggest résumé in Grosse Pointe Shores.”

Spina credits previous departmental leaders for enabling him to ascend to this level in his career.

“I think, just generally, I’ve had great guidance with all of the previous chiefs,” Spina said. “That’s the reason I am where I am at this point in my life. There’s been great leadership and mutual respect.”

Former Shores Public Safety Director John Schulte called this promotion “long overdue” for Spina.

“He is one of the best trained, best disciplined (officers),” Schulte said. “He is one of the finest officers I have ever worked with. He’s an incredible guy. If something’s going on, Tony’s there.”

Schulte, who promoted Spina to sergeant on Dec. 13, 2019, called Spina and fellow Lt. Ron Coste “the future of this department.”

During the meeting, Werenski echoed Schulte’s sentiments.

“I’m really lucky to have Tony here,” Werenski said. “He makes me better. He asks the tough questions.”

Spina, 47, has worked for the Shores for the last 22 years. Before that, he worked for Metro Ambulance Company from 1993 to 1996 and for Medstar Ambulance Company from 1996 to 2000.

Even after starting his career in the Shores, Spina has held multiple first responder positions. He was with the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department from 1993 to 2003 and the Clay Township Fire Department from 2010 to 2015, and she erved as fire marshal for the New Baltimore Fire Department from 1997 to 2021. Since 2015, he’s been an advanced police training instructor with Macomb Community College, and since 2013, he’s been the EMS coordinator for the Henry Ford Center.

“He’s a cop’s cop,” Werenski said of Spina, who has gotten advanced public safety experience and training in places like New Baltimore.

“It gives him more experience, more knowledge, and he brings that back to Grosse Pointe Shores,” Werenski said.

Spina also has several degrees, including a master’s in strategic leadership from Mountain State University and a bachelor’s in public safety administration from Siena Heights University.

Shores City Manager Stephen Poloni, a former Shores public safety director, said he worked with Spina for many years.

“He’s been an asset to the department,” Poloni said.

In a small department like the Shores, advancement opportunities are limited because there aren’t many supervisory positions available. Spina was promoted to the position formerly held by another respected department veteran, Lt. Douglas Fraser, who retired last year.

Spina said he was “excited” to learn he had earned the rank of lieutenant.

“I’m thankful for the opportunity to move up and start the next chapter in my life,” Spina said.