By Jim Bloch
The Port Huron Police Department has two new officers.
Police Chief Joe Platzer introduced Tess Grifka and Logan Kellerman to the city council at its regular meeting June 24.
“Tess comes from Cros-Lex,” said Platzer as heard on the recording of the meeting posted on the city’s website. “She’s a graduate of St. Clair County Community College and then worked for us as a cadet for about a year before going to the police academy. Officer Logan Kellerman is a Port Huron Northern graduate, SC4 graduate and worked for us for about a year as a police cadet. Both of them graduated from the Oakland Police Academy back in May.”
The two officers graduated from the academy May 23. The next afternoon they were officially sworn in as PHPD officers.
“They’ve been on the road now for about five weeks,” said Platzer. “This Thursday (June 27), they’re just completing their first phase of field training. They have another about 12 weeks to go. If everything goes as planned, which I believe it will, they’ll be ready for certified solo patrol sometime in September this year.”
“Thank you and welcome aboard,” said Mayor Pauline Repp. “If you’d like to come up, we’d like to shake your hand.”
The two new officers shook the hands of City Manager James Freed, City Clerk Cyndee Jonseck, Mayor Repp and five council members; member Conrad Haremza was absent.
The PHPD employs about 80 people, including about 40 patrol officers, the backbone of the department, which renewed its state and national certification last year. 2023 saw the retirement of Lt. Chris Frazier and the hiring of Tyler Maxfield, Matthew Genilla, Skylar Snay and Brett ONeill.
“We are incredibly proud of their dedication and hard work and we are confident they will serve our community with honor and integrity,” said the department on Facebook. “Let’s give them a warm welcome and show them our support as they begin their journey in keeping our city safe.”
Jim Bloch is a freelance writer based in St. Clair, Michigan. Contact him at bloch.jim@gmail.com.
