Dale Young discusses his promotion to West Bloomfield chief of police

WEST BLOOMFIELD — This past year has included two life-changing events for West Bloomfield Police Department Deputy Chief Dale Young.

In January, Young, who began as a police cadet at the West Bloomfield Police Department in 2004, was appointed to the position of deputy chief after Curt Lawson, who previously served in that role, accepted a position with the Franklin-Bingham Farms Police Department.

Less than a year later, Young was the recipient of another big promotion.

At a Township Board meeting this past October, the Township Board unanimously accepted the retirement notice of Michael Patton, who has served as the township’s chief of police since 2010.

At that same meeting, it was announced that Young had been appointed to the position of chief. He is set to begin his new role Jan. 11.

“It’s been a whirlwind,” Young said. “It has been an exciting ride. I think that (it) is important to always be ready, and I feel that because I had someone that I could talk to and somebody that could role model the way that the chief has done, (that) has greatly assisted me.”

Young’s time with the West Bloomfield Police Department has also included being a police officer, a detective, a defensive tactics instructor, a crisis negotiator team leader, a patrol sergeant, an administrative sergeant and an administrative lieutenant.

After Young was appointed to the position of deputy chief, Steven Kaplan, the township’s former supervisor, was already taking notice of Young’s career trajectory.

“He’s had a meteoric rise in the Police Department,” Kaplan said in a previous interview with the Beacon. “There are three main divisions within the Police Department – patrol, and then detective bureau, and then administration. Well, Deputy Chief Young has performed well in each of those divisions.”

Young has a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies with a minor in communications from Oakland University.

He is also a graduate of the Northwestern Center for Public Safety Police Staff and Command, the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police Executives’ and New Chiefs’ School, and the Michigan Police Executive Development Seminar.

At the Township Board meeting in October, Howard Rosenberg, who at the time was one of the township’s trustees, told Young that Patton is going to be a tough act to follow.

“But I’m sure you’re up to it and I congratulate you on the ascension to this position,” Rosenberg said at the meeting. “I hope you take a good lesson from Chief Patton, as he was so active in the community. So I’m obviously in support of this.”

At the meeting, Treasurer Teri Weingarden said that she was “very excited” that Young would be following in the footsteps of Patton.

“Big shoes to fill, but sir, you have already impressed me greatly with the work I’ve been doing with you,” Weingarden said.

Young said that he has had many discussions with Patton and that the chief has prepared him well.

“He has always had an enthusiasm for law enforcement and always put the community first,” Young said. 

“I’ve learned great lessons over the years from him. We’ve had great conversations and because of his leadership and preparing for the future, I feel that much more confident in taking on my new role as he retires as chief of police. … I’ve been with him at various meetings to watch how he operates.”

Patton addressed Young’s appointment at the Township Board meeting in October.

“I’m really pleased and excited about the appointment you’re making tonight of Deputy Chief Young,” Patton said. “I think it’s important to say he’s well-respected by all the West Bloomfield team members. This will be a welcome appointment.”

In a recent interview with the Beacon, Patton said that he is “very happy” that Young was appointed to be the next chief.

“That helps with my decision, that I know it’s not (going to) be a mystery who’s coming in here next,” Patton said. “He’s demonstrated his energy and competence to lead the Police Department here.”

At the meeting, Township Clerk Debbie Binder said that Young’s commitment is clear.

“We’ve worked with you quite a bit already, and it’s been an absolute pleasure,” Binder said. 

The fact that he is being promoted from within is something that Young believes is beneficial for the West Bloomfield Police Department.

“You have institutional knowledge that spans decades, and on top of that, you know the people that work for the department well,” Young said. 

“Understanding those things, the nuances, the culture, and having an understanding of the different trends that are occurring within law enforcement, how to navigate those things, and being able to translate that to the people you are in charge of overseeing is valuable, important, and will be one of the ingredients for success in the future.”