Chief Hart Introduces Deputy Chief Marlene Radzik to Saline City Council

The City of Saline welcomed its first Deputy Police Chief since 2011 during Monday's city council meeting.

Marlene Radzik, who retired from the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office as Police Services Commander in 2018, has rejoined the ranks of law enforcement as the highest-ranking woman in the history of the Saline Police Department.

Police Chief Jerrod Hart introduced Radzik to city council Monday, which was also Radzik's first day on the job. She was sworn in early that day by City Clerk Terri Royal.

Radzik is a native of Flint who began her law enforcement career with the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office Corrections Division in 1989. She decided she wanted to become a police officer and went to the police academy at Washtenaw  Community College in 1991.

During her career the WSCO she was an undercover officer, a member of the underwater search and recovery team, Police Services Commander, Deputy Sheriff, Sergeant and Lieutenant. She was decorated during her career, receiving four unit citations, five individual meritorious service awards, a Sheriff's Special Citation and the rarely-awarded Sheriff's Office Medal of Valor.

"Marlene has a stellar reputation in Washtenaw law enforcement and procedural justice circles," Chief Hart told council, before listing the awards.

Hart said Radzik impressed the board formed to find a deputy chief.

"The cream definitely rose to the top. She's a fantastic individual and has had a fantastic career," Hart said. "I can tell she's going to have an absolutely stellar career here in our police department."

Radzik was joined by her husband, Michael, who retired from the WSCO as a lieutenant, in the council chambers. The couple raised a family of six girls in Saline.

She chose Sherry Vail Woods, the first female command officer in the history of the Ann Arbor Police Department, to drape the badge around her neck during a brief ceremony at city hall Monday evening.

Radzik is the first deputy sheriff since Jack Ceo retired in 2011. Council eliminated the position in a budget-trimming effort during the great recession.

Mayor Brian Marl noted Radzik served on the hiring committee that recommended Hart as a finalist for the chief's job.

"We're delighted to have you and look forward to working with you," Marl said.

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