Politics & Government
Two Finalists Remain For Saline Police Chief
Saline City Council will meet with the two finalists Saturday after the third finalist accepted chief's post in Milan.
The City of Milan has their man. As a result, there are now two finalists for Saline Police Chief post.
Milan Mayor Kym Muckler and City Administrator Ben Swazye announced Thursday that Gerald Scherlinck, a captain in the Troy Police Department, was selected to fill the vacant chief’s position. Scherlinck was one of three finalists for the Saline post, who will interview with Saline City Council and meet with the public Saturday.
Saline City Manager Todd Campbell confirmed Thursday that Scherlinck has withdrawn his name.
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The other finalists are David Northrop, Director of Public Safety for the City of Sturgis, and Larry Hrinik, who recently retired as Chief of the Davison Township Police Department.
Saline City Council will meet for a work session at noon Saturday. Council will interview Hrinik at 12:45 p.m. and Northrop at 1:30 p.m. At 2:30 p.m. the public is invited for a meet and greet. Council could make a decision at a special meeting Monday.
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Northrop has been Director of Public Safety since 2004. He was Chief of Police and Deputy Chief of Police in Sturgis from 2001-04. As chief, after a study, he recommended the fire and police services be rolled into a Public Safety Department. He also merged the dispatch services with St. Joseph County Central Dispatch.
He’s been with Sturgis since 1988, where he has also been a police officer, Youth Services Officer and Corporal. He began his law enforcement career in Cassopolis and Lawrence in 1987. Northrop was a Platoon Sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1985-91, leading 84 Marines during a combat environment during the Gulf War. Northrop earned his B.S. in Public Services Administration and also in Criminal Justice from Siena Heights University.
Hrinik was Chief of the Davison Township Police Department from 1993 until February of 2012. Prior to that, worked as a police officer in Buena Vista Township Police Department from 1974-1993. He was promoted to Sergeant in 1985. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and Sociology and his Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership and Administration from Saginaw Valley State College.
He has been an instructor at the University of Michigan-Flint, Saginaw Valley State University, Flint Regional Police Academy and St. Mary’s Medical Center.
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