The City of Traverse City was incorporated as a Village in 1891 and received its City Charter in 1895.
On October 01, 1895, the Mayor appointed John Rennie, City Marshall. He had previously been the Village Marshall prior to this October 01, 1895, appointment. During that time, a Police Committee formed, and four additional men were appointed as night Policemen. The first four Policemen were: Allen Grayson, W.B. Sherman, James Garland, and Hiram M. Kinney.
In 1896, the monthly salaries of Marshall Rennie was $75 per month; Allan Grayson received $50 per month, and the remaining three officers received $40 per month.
In 1898, John Rennie served as both Village Marshall and Fire Chief – a dual position he held for several years. At some point during this time, the title was recognized as Chief rather than Marshall.
In 1911, Chief Charles Johnson recommended to the City Commission they consider adoption of 10 mph speed limits on various streets within the city. Chief Johnson further suggested signs be constructed of tin or iron be attached to posts, in plain view, so people would have an open view of the posted 10 mph speed limit on those specific streets. The City Commission unanimously passed the proposal.
In 1912, the city hired a Special Police Officer for enforcing the newly adopted 10 mph speed limit on the identified streets. The Special Officer wore plain clothes, rode a motorcycle, and immediately started issuing speeding tickets to speeding cars on those identified and posted streets.
In 1913, Pearl S. Watters was hired to serve in the capacity of Police Matron for the department. Officer Watters was the first female Police Officer the Traverse City Police Department employed.
In 1916, the Department secured its first Chevrolet automobile. The car came with free of charge storage at the Whiting Garage. Prior to the introduction of an automobile the police force were either on foot, horseback, or traveled by taxi to their calls for service destinations. During this time, the early drivers in Traverse City suffered from poor driving skills resulting in poor driving records. As a result, the City’s first fatal car accident occurred on October 27, 1910, at Fifth and Wadsworth Streets. The involved automobile went over the side of the riverbank and killed a female passenger.
Pictured above is a 1917 Chevrolet Traverse City Police Car, found listed on inventory sheets dated 1918, valued at $388.
By the 1920’s, the department’s handwritten logbooks reported many serious accidents and drunk driving arrests.
On May 26, 1926, the city installed its first traffic lights along Front Street intersecting Park, Cass, and Union Streets.
On November 11, 1938, the department installed its first two-way radio in a police car.
The 1940’s brought changes not only to the department, but to the world as a whole when the United States entered World War II, a result of the bombing on Pearl Harbor. At the end of 1941, President Roosevelt joined the Allies in Europe. During this time, the department emerged as new and different. In 1942, the department hired several additional Police Officers and additionally added twenty-one (21) Special Police Officers who served as an auxiliary force. This change was most likely due to World War II and the need for extra personnel to help with air-raid drills and blackouts.
Pictured above is a newspaper snippet listing officers around 1947.
Pictured above is a photo from firearms training in the 1950's.
Pictured above is Chief Howard Ritter who served as the Police Chief from November 1966- October 1967.
Pictured above is Chief John McCloskey who was appointed to Police Chief in November of 1967.
In 1969, the Department launched a communitywide design contest for the development of our Department Patch. The contestant who won the design contest was an eighthgrade female student at Traverse City Junior High School. For her effort, she received a $50 savings bond and communitywide recognition for her winning design of the Department’s Patch. This same patch is worn on our police uniforms to this day.
In the 1980’s major changes took place in the fight against crime. Policing in the United States was under siege in the 1980’s for two reasons: 1) crime had been rising from the early 1960’s, and 2) research had shown that the traditional strategies of the police were ineffective at coping with it. From 1960 to 1985, there was almost a threefold increase in crime rates. Then President Lyndon B. Johnson called for a “War on Crime”, a declaration that ushered in a new era of American law enforcement. President Johnson viewed the urban Police officer as the “frontline soldier” of his mission focused on building the weapons arsenal of local law enforcement. Most impactful was the federal money for the purchase of bulletproof vests, and other military grade hardware for police departments. During that time, the department realized it needed to heed these changes and move toward a Community Policing Model. It was recognized through this initiative that Police Officers needed the assistance of citizens to provide better and more impactful police services. In 1982, the department collaborated with the Traverse City Area Public Schools and placed its first ever police officer within the public schools. At that time, the officer was referred to as School Liaison Officer; it is now known as a School Resource Officer. This initial officer had a designated on-campus office located within Central High School. He spent his days on campus handling police matters and interacting with the student body, staff, and administration. During this time, Central High School was the largest High School in the State of Michigan and the only High School in Traverse City. Officer Rodger McEvoy served as the department’s first School Liaison Officer.
In 1983, Chief Ralph Soffredine moved the department to a Community Policing philosophy. He envisioned a Police department where the public shifted it perception of Police Officers from being outside their neighborhoods to being a part of their neighborhoods. A face to a name, and an immersion into what was going on in neighborhoods so the issues could be addressed and resolved through the help of an assigned Sector Police Officer. From this philosophy, our Sector Police Officer program was born. Four officers and a Sergeant were each assigned to specific areas within the city. As part of this Community Policing philosophy, the officers returned to walking their assigned neighborhoods and mingling with the residents. This initiative pulled the officers out of police cars and into the neighborhoods so our citizenry would become acquainted with the Police officer and have a department resource available to them. This officer would then become an important part of their environment. It gave the residents the opportunity to see the Police officer as a friend and someone they could turn to and work with to solve issues plaguing their neighborhoods. It offered the department the opportunity to have a more realistic look into the City’s neighborhoods and their needs. During this time, the department purchased its first motorcycle and one motorcycle officer was assigned to this specialty. Today, the city has six Harley-Davidson motorcycles, motored by six certified and well-trained motorcycle officers.
In 1984, a Reserve Unit was formed by then Administrative Sergeant Michael Warren. The unit served as well trained, vetted, community members who volunteered time to the department for special events within the community. The Reserve Unit remained operational until the summer of 2025. All Reserve Officers received extensive training and worked alongside certified police officers. The unit had its own Command staff and Patrol officers serving in this unpaid volunteer capacity. The Department’s Lieutenant of Patrol Services was the department’s liaison and overall commander of the Reserve Unit.
The late 1980’s and early 1990’s the computer age was emerging in the department. By 1988, the department’s Investigative Services Division had a computer aided drawing program to help with drawing suspects of crimes that met with good success. From those early days until today, the department has continued to work diligently to implement innovative technology.
Over the course of our department’s history, the department has moved numerous times over the years. Often times sharing space with other city departments or in today’s case sharing space with the Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s office. At one time, the police department and the fire department shared the old fire house located in the 100 Block of South Cass. The police department was located upstairs and in the back of the building. The building had a holding cell. The holding cell was used for overnight lodging of those arrested for drunkenness (released in the morning) and was used to house men who had nowhere else to stay. The department then relocated to the Ladies Library located at 216 South Cass Street, which was shared with the 86th District Court. In the late 1970’s the department moved into a newly built and larger facility at what is now known as Fire Station #1 located at 520 West Front Street. In 1980, the department relocated to a shared facility at 320 Washington Street. This facility brought together the Traverse City Police Department and the Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s office.
Pictured above is the 1990 Traverse City Police Reserve Officers.
On May 12th, 1998, tragedy struck the Traverse City Police Department. Sergeant Dennis Finch responded to the 200 block of Wellington Street and began negotiating with a suspect who had armed himself with rifles and pistols. Sergeant Finch negotiated with the suspect for over an hour when the suspect opened fire with an AR-15 rifle, striking Sergeant Finch numerous times. Two other officers risked their lives by pulling his body off of the porch. Sergeant Finch was admitted to Munson Medical Center in Traverse City where he died the next morning at 10:30 am. The suspect was shot and wounded in the initial gunfight but barricaded himself in his house for 10 hours before giving up. The suspect was later convicted of murdering Sergeant Finch and sentenced to life in prison without parole. Sergeant Finch had served with the Traverse City Police Department for 30 years.
Sergeant Finch's badge number, 212, has been forever retired from use within the Traverse City Police Department.
In 2003, the department relocated once again to its current location at 851 Woodmere Avenue, named the Sgt. Dennis W. Finch Law Enforcement Center, which we continue to share with the Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s office. In the department’s early days, training was strongly encouraged and committed to by those in command. It remains a top priority now just as it did then. It is a top priority in the ever-changing police culture. As the chiefs of police before him, Chief Richmond understands the value in a well- trained police force. Police officers are prepared for and can better respond to matters of concern when properly prepared. The citizens they serve and protect benefit from police officers who understand how to work with and recognize issues surrounding mental health, drug and alcohol addictions, issues affecting the special needs population, along with better and safer ways of dealing with and understanding the more “textbook” calls for service as well. They continue to strive to be better and to respond to calls for service using a new lens and/or a new approach. It is well known in order to have a professional police force; you have to regularly train the personnel. The belief was and remains that a well-trained police force does not just happen, it takes time, resources, and dedication to being the best police department you can be. A commitment they hold today.
In 2015, when Jeffrey O’Brien was promoted to the position of chief of police, he adopted the police philosophy outlined under the President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing guidelines and the Six Pillars associated within this document. It is based on the understanding that city officials play a significant role in promoting transparency and fostering trust between the community and law enforcement agencies. This program is designed to help offer our department and our local elected leaders’ guidance on how law enforcement officials can implement the principles of community policing. They are currently utilizing the recommendations from the President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing as we move forward and address needed changes in how they provide police services. As indicated earlier, community policing is a law enforcement strategy that emphasizes the systematic use of community engagement, partnership, and problem-solving techniques. This model is used to proactively address conditions that cultivate crime and social disorder. Community policing requires cooperation among police, citizens, and local decision-makers in order to forge effective partnerships that combat criminal activity. The President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing divides the recommendations into Six Pillars. They are as follows: 1. Building Trust and Legitimacy 2. Policy and Oversight 3. Technology and Social Media 4. Community Policing and Crime Reduction 5. Officer Training and Education 6. Officer Safety and Wellness The department is proud to work every day to implement this philosophy into the police operations. This is not the easiest thing to implement but it is imperative for the health and welfare of the Traverse City Police Department and the citizens they are sworn to serve and protect. Something they consider in every decision and something they take very seriously every day.
In March 2019, the world changed for all of us. A new and strange virus was spreading across the world. It was quickly known to us as the COVID-19 Pandemic. Every inch of the department and the city as a whole has been impacted by this Pandemic. As a result, the out of office training was put on hold by a citywide travel ban. As they adjusted to the changes they faced with COVID-19, the department moved to a virtual learning platform through Lexipol KMS – utilizing an online, cloud based virtual learning platform titled, PoliceOne Learning Academy. Each of the officers has his/her personal login to this platform and are encouraged to utilize the over 1,000 virtual trainings available to them through this system. Officers assigned to Special Assignments: K-9, ERT, Motor, Firearms, etc., are mandated by their specialty commander to review and record identified trainings as outlined by said commander. Additional training were identified and mandated by each specific division commander as well. Administration also has access to this platform and are encouraged to utilize these training options.
Following the death of George Floyd, in May of 2020, civil unrest spread across the nation. In June of 2020, a Black Lives Matter rally was held at the open space in the heart of Traverse City; while peaceful the event spurred a set of demands of the Traverse City Police Department and Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s Office. One of those demands was the implementation of body-worn cameras (BWCs) for both departments. As a result, the Traverse City Commission immediately allocated $100,000 for the department to implement BWC’s. At the direction of the City Manager, the Traverse City Police Department tested two BWC vendors in the following months, leading to a partnership with GETAC Video Solutions for body-worn cameras.
February 1, 2021, the Traverse City Police Department implemented body-worn cameras for all sworn personal to wear during the course of their duties.
In 2022, the Traverse City Police Department applied for and was awarded two grants to facilitate a community policing initiative to address our vulnerable (those experiencing a crisis related to substance abuse, mental health, and homelessness) population. The grants awarded were the Comprehensive Opiate, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Program (COSSAP) through the Michigan State Police and the Emerging Needs Grant through Rotary Charities. As a direct result of these awards, the Traverse City Police Department hired a police social worker coordinator and a community policing officer. The COSSAP grant has been extended to a third funding year and the department has fulfilled the Emerging Needs grant. As part of the COSSAP grant metrics, the department formed a Quick Response Team (QRT) through MOUs between the Traverse City Police Department and community service providers. Unlike a traditional QRT, the department's QRT quickly evolved into a comprehensive program with wrap-around services for our community's vulnerable population. A vulnerable person is an individual who is experiencing a crisis related to two or more of the following: substance abuse, mental health, and homelessness.
Today, the program comprises partnerships with 50 community service providers who collaboratively serve over 150 program participants from the city's vulnerable population. Due to the program's success, internal and regional expansion is being sought to reach vulnerable populations throughout the entire Grand Traverse region and guide other Northern Michigan communities on how best to address their vulnerable populations' needs. In addition to local and regional recognition, the QRT has also received state and national recognition.
In 2023, the department was approached by Traverse City Area Public Schools (TCAPS) School Board members about re-implementing a School Resource Officer (SRO) within Traverse City Central High School. TCAPS was recently awarded a State of Michigan School Resource Officer Grant which has been utilized to fund the position. After a three year absence, this opportunity reestablished a partnership with TCAPS that was originally established in 1982. The department currently has two SRO’s, one assigned to TCAPS and one assigned to Northwest Education Services. Recently, law enforcement across the United States has experienced a large number of retirements and resignations due to generational cycles and anti-police sentiment. While the department has avoided community resentment, they have had a large number of personnel who have retired after 25 years of service with the city. Since March of 2022, Lieutenant Erich Bohrer (2022), Captain James Bussell (2022), Chief Jeffery O’Brien (2023), Lieutenant Steve Sivek (2023), and Captain Keith Gillis (2024) have retired.
Since 2023, the department has seen four different Patrol Services Lieutenants, three Patrol Service Captains, two Investigative Service Captains, and an Interim Chief of Police, Matthew Richmond (pictured below), who was later appointed Chief of Police on July 1st, 2023.
The institutional knowledge of the veteran members combined with the inspiration of our younger members provides the agency with a bright future. Within the next five years, the department may retire approximately twenty five percent of sworn personnel. After those five years, the senior sworn department member, outside the chief of police, will have fifteen years of service with the Traverse City Police Department. During this time, recruitment has failed to keep pace with the number of law enforcement leaving the profession.
To try and address this problem, the State of Michigan provided grant funding to sponsor employed police recruits through recognized police academies. This funding allowed departments to hire those individuals who may have not initially sought a career in law enforcement. To date, the department has successfully sponsored three individuals who are MCOLES certified police officers currently employed with the department. The city and department administration have also worked together with the collective bargaining units to enhance recruitment, by offering lateral officer hires and increased pay of 15% over the current contract period.
Today, all of the patrol vehicles are equipped with mobile data terminals and in-car printers. Officers have department issued mobile phones and are equipped with body worn cameras. The detectives and all administration have assigned laptop computers, mobile phones, and other state-of-the-art equipment to help with the overall efficiency of the department. Officers are equipped with external ballistic vest carriers to help distribute the equipment load, and the agency is constantly reviewing or improving clothing/uniforms to ensure the officers are outfitted with the best equipment. This has been and continues to be a driving force of the current Chief of Police, Matthew Richmond, whom is a large proponent of providing the necessary tools to working smarter and more efficiently through embracing available technology in all divisions and at all levels of our organization. As stated earlier, this is an ever-evolving landscape.
Future goals are to develop a department culture that is welcoming, fair, and respectful, provide a more effective and efficient service through the use of technology, implement strategies that are evidence and intelligence based, and embrace community collaboration on issues that directly affect our community.
Excellence in Public Service and Safety Through Community Policing