SHPD says practices, perks help it get pick of talent

STERLING HEIGHTS — During a time when many Michigan police departments reportedly expect a smaller hiring pool of officer candidates in the future, the Sterling Heights Police Department says it has found ways to stay a step ahead of the curve, and recruit and keep top talent.

SHPD police Chief Dale Dwojakowski said he is finally seeing regional police academies such as the Macomb Police Academy “return to full capacity” after the complications that the COVID-19 pandemic caused.

But he said every police department in Michigan is fighting to hire a dwindling number of qualified candidates, adding that fewer young people are taking up police work as a career.

“We are very fortunate in Sterling Heights to be able to attract current police officers from across the state who want better pay, benefits, and working conditions,” Dwojakowski said in an email. “There is no doubt that smaller departments are feeling the pinch when it comes to hiring and staffing.”

Dwojakowski said his department has prepared itself for the challenge by assigning an 11-member recruitment team to tour the state and spread the news about the SHPD and its workplace perks.

“Our pay and benefits are some of the best in the state, and we offer incoming officers that have experience lateral pay,” the chief explained.

According to the chief, the SHPD is staffed with 161 sworn officers. Largely in response to retirements, the city hired 15 officers in 2022 and is expected to hire 12 more in 2023 to ensure that the force is completely staffed, he said.

Dwojakowski added that the department’s size and resources give recruits a variety of opportunities and experiences for career growth. That includes police duties like patrolling, traffic enforcement and the detective bureau, in addition to community policing, K-9 handling, narcotics enforcement, surveillance, crisis negotiation, SWAT procedures, drone operation and more.

Sterling Heights’ reputation for safety and its status as Michigan’s fourth-largest city are also prized, he said.

“Even though Sterling Heights is one of the largest cities in the state, we have an extremely low crime rate because of the caliber of officers we employ and the unbelievable partnership we have with residents and business owners that love this city,” Dwojakowski added.

When it comes to reasons why officers choose Sterling Heights as a place to work, Mayor Michael Taylor pointed to the SHPD’s reputation for having very good leadership, high officer professionalism, respect from the community, and City Council support.

“Our officers are well trained and given pay and benefits that place them among the best paid department in the state,” the mayor added in a text message. “I think all of that combined has made the SHPD one of the most sought after jobs in law enforcement in the region and beyond.”

Find out more about the Sterling Heights Police Department by calling (586) 446-2800.