Birmingham welcomes new police chief

BIRMINGHAM — Scott Grewe has recently begun his new role as the Birmingham Police Department’s chief of police.

After graduating from Ferris State University with a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice, Grewe started working with the  Birmingham Police Department in 1999.

Throughout his time with Birmingham, he held several positions prior to becoming chief. Grewe’s previous roles include the department armorer, firearms and use of force instructor; a field training coordinator; and an investigations and road patrol supervisor.

“He has broad experience with the operations of the city, the commission, and with various volunteer boards,” Birmingham Mayor Therese Longe said. “Chief Grewe’s appointment will provide stability and continuity for the Birmingham Police Department and ensure that our residents continue to be well-served.”

In order to prepare for his role as chief, he attended the Law Enforcement Executive Leadership Institute, the Michigan Police Executive Development Seminar, the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police New Chiefs School, and Eastern Michigan University’s School of Police Staff and Command, and was recently accepted into the FBI National Academy. He is a few classes away from earning his master’s in public safety administration.

Grewe said he is looking forward to “taking the department into the future and being the driving force of that. Having worked for this department for so many years and being a part of the city and community, it is an honor to be in this position.”

As Grewe begins his new role, there are already several new projects underway, such as upgrading the camera systems and redesigning the Police Department building to be more secure.

Since first installing cameras on the outside of City Hall in 2001, the city has spread 37 cameras throughout the city. Many of these cameras are outdated and in need of a replacement, so Grewe said they are working on replacing their equipment with the latest and greatest technology to allow the department to better monitor the area.

The redesign and development of the Police Department and City Hall is a current focus because the facilities have not been updated in over 30 years.

Grewe said they are looking at a possible expansion off of City Hall to address the security and safety of not only the community surrounding the Police Department, but also the officers on the job.

The department is also working on expanding the Mental Health Co-Response Program by adding a second clinician.

“That has been a program that has been phenomenal. It has been a great resource and very positive. … By adding a second clinician, we are going to make the availability of that person that much more effective and able to be a greater resource than it (the Mental Health Co-Response Program) already is,” Grewe said.

Grewe said honesty, integrity, standing by what you believe and doing what is right are among his core values as the police chief.

As a way of introducing himself to the community in his new role, Grewe wants to connect with Birmingham’s many community groups, such as neighborhoods, schools, churches and more. He said he would be happy to visit groups to introduce himself and hold a question-and-answer session so they can get to know him.