Page 16 - Wayne Dispatch Pages

Officer of the Year and promotions in Police Department

By Sarah Shurge of the police department and has
On May 3rd at the City of Wayne’s served in many capacities including
Council meeting, Sergeant Jordan Field Training Officer, Defensive Tac-
Arndt was recognized as the Wayne tics Instructor, Mobile Field Force
Police Department’s 2021 Police Of- consortium member, and Taser in-
ficer of the Year. structor.
Each year the Wayne Police De- Sgt. Colwell has served at the
partment’s Awards Committee - Wayne Police Department in the Pa-
which consists of patrol officers, trol Division, as a Field Training Of-
command officers, and the police ficer, a rifle team member, and most
chief - meets to select a Police Officer recently as a Detective in the Investi-
of the Year Award recipient as well as gation’s Bureau.
other individual awards for exem- Robert Amore was recently pro-
plary service. moted to the rank of Lieutenant.
“Sgt. Arndt was unanimously Lieutenant Amore is a 17-year vet-
voted across the board,” said Wayne eran of the Wayne Police Department,
Police Chief Ryan Strong. “As police a traffic crash reconstructionist, the
chief, it's great to have him abroad. Western Wayne Crash Response
He’s consistently positive and has a Team Commander, and a Taser and
strong sense of integrity.” Speed Measurement instructor.
Sgt. Arndt was nominated and se- Along with the promotions within
lected as Officer of the Year for his the Wayne Police Department, also
hard work, positive attitude, and out- Wayne Police Department’s 2021 Police Officer of the Year, Sergeant Jordan Arndt came retirements. Lieutenant Kevin
standing job he did as School Re- with his family at Wayne City Hall. Schmidtke retired after 21 years of
source Officer at Wayne Memorial just like everyone else.” get it this time. I try my best every- service, Sergeant Stephanie Strasser
High School. As the School Resource Officer, time I go to work. But I was sad to retired after 25 years of service (the
“Unfortunately, a lot of younger Sgt. Arndt also helped students and leave the school and the kids were first female to retire from the Wayne
people don't have good things to say staff feel safe during the return to in crying that I was leaving.” Police Department), and Sergeant
about the police but they haven't had person learning and in the aftermath Due to Sgt. Arndt's promotion, Abraham Hughes after 20 years of
any personal experience with the po- of the Oxford shooting. Officer Williams will be taking over service.
lice, just from things they’ve seen on “It was really about breaking bar- at Wayne Memorial High School. The Wayne Police Department
the internet. So being at the high riers. I would hang out with the kids Sgt. Arndt has been at the Wayne also announced that Officer Devonte
school, their first impression for the and they would come up and say Police Department for seven years in Rhodes graduated from the Wayne
police could be with me,” said Sgt. ‘you're the first cool cop I’ve met’ but August. Throughout his time at the County Regional Police Academy on
Arndt. they've never met a cop before me,” Wayne Police Department, he has May 18th. Officer Rhodes will begin
During his three years of service said Sgt. Arndt. “I wanted them to also received an Opioid Life Saving orientation and field training soon.
at Wayne High, Sgt. Arndt reversed see the person behind the uniform. Award, a Safe Driving Award, a few “I’m honored to lead the depart-
some negative perceptions students Be more of a person, a human, not Accommodations and Chief Com- ment and proud of everyone's accom-
might have had about law enforce- just the police.” mendations. plishments. They are all well
ment. Arndt finished his services as the Along with Sgt. Arndt’s promo- deserved,” said Chief Strong.
“Positive energy is the best part School Resource Officer and on May tion, the Wayne Police Department For more information about the
about him as both a person and a 2nd, Arndt was promoted to Ser- also announced a few other promo- Wayne Police Department, visit
police officer,” said Chief Strong. geant. “Being promoted was bitter- tions recently. Matthew Whalen and www.ci.wayne.mi.us/index.php/po-
“He’s really good at talking to people sweet,” said Sgt. Arndt. “It feels huge. Chad Colwell were both promoted to lice-dept or you can find them on
and he showed students and staff This is something I applied for a cou- Sergeant. Facebook by searching City of Wayne,
that police officers are human beings ple times so I was really excited to Sgt. Whalen is a veteran member Michigan Police Department.

16 · June 2022 · The Wayne Dispatch