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The City of Saline has a new Chief of Police.
Monday, Jerrod Hart was surrounded by his wife and children during a swearing-in ceremony at the Saline City Council meeting. Monday was also Hart’s first day on the job.
Hart, a native of Trenton, Mich., has worked in law enforcement for 26 years – all with the Novi Police Department, where he had been assistant chief since 2012.
He spent several hours on his first day riding along with his officers.
“What an honor and privilege it was to work along side them. They work with the utmost professionalism and care for the citizens they serve,” Hart said.
Hart was inspired to pursue a career in law enforcement during a chance encounter with a police officer during a middle school career fair.
“He opened my eyes to what law enforcement was all about. I knew then it was something I wanted to do,” Hart said.
After graduating with a degree in criminal justice from Ferris State Hart began his career at the Novi Police Department in 1991. He also has a master’s degree in technology from Eastern Michigan University.
Hart served on the West Oakland Major Crimes task force.
Despite his long police career, Hart is still shy of his 50th birthday. During his interview with Saline City Council, he expressed hope that he’d be chief for 10 or 15 years.
City council members also seemed impressed by Hart’s partnership and engagement with Novi schools.
Hart replaces Larry Hrinik, who served as Chief of Police for five years. Sgt. Andrew Hartwig was interim chief for more than a month while the city selected Hrinik's replacement and brought him on board.
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