Leaders look for next police chief
Former Chief Posavetz died recently after decades of service
With the unexpected death of Clinton Township Police Chief Fred Posavetz, the question now is who will take over leading the 94-officer department?
Two veteran police department captains appear to be in the running to become the department’s fifth chief. But given Civil Service rules which requires any officer reaching the age of 65 to retire, the new chief may not be in office very long.
“There’s going to be a lot of transition taking place in the Clinton Township Police Department over the next few months,” said Township Supervisor Bob Cannon.
Richard Maierle, who serves as captain of the detective bureau and spokesperson for the department, and Bruce Wade, who manages the road patrol and day-to-day operations of the department, were tested by an independent agency last week for the chief’s position.
One of them is expected to be recommended to the township supervisor to be named chief in April.
However, both law enforcers will turn 65 this year and may be forced to turn in their badges and guns.
If that happens, several current lieutenants in the department will take a civil service exam to decide which ones will be promoted to the posi
tion of captain. Likewise, current sergeants will test to become lieutenants.
Maierle and Wade both declined to comment on Tuesday. The two men are running the department as informal cochiefs until a new leader is named.
“Both officers are good people,” Cannon said. “Nobody thinks they are replacing Fred Posavetz because he was one of a kind. Whoever comes after him will not be trying to fill his shoes, but rather upholding what he has done.”
However, township Treasurer Paul Gieleghem said there seems to be a “gray area” regarding the retirements. He said state law concerning the retirement board that requires an officer to retire at age 65 does not necessarily apply to the Charter Township Act.
Gieleghem said attorneys for the pension board are still studying the issue.
“I don’t think either one of them would have to leave the department, but it’s a gray area and depends on how one interprets the laws,” Gieleghem said.
There still is a feeling of shock and sadness over the death of Chief Posavetz, who passed away March 22 from complications due to COVID-19.
Posavetz served 41 years on the township police force, and was police chief since 2007. He was in the police gym nearly every day, rarely drank and seemed strong and fit.
He had been hospitalized for six weeks after contracting the coronavirus, said township spokesman Jim Perpich. But due to the Health Insurance Portability and Accounting Act (HIPA), township officials could not disclose his condition.
Seven billboards honoring Posavetz have been erected in various spots around the township, including on Interstate 94.
“There has been an outpouring of sorrow and respect like you could not believe,” said Cannon.
Car dealer Jim Causley has proposed building a memorial garden on the grounds of the police station to honor Posavetz’s memory.
Township staff members will arrange and maintain the garden. One of the possible sites being considered is next to the memorial in front of the station which honors the memory of Officer Richard Vauris, who was killed in the line of duty in February 2001