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The Saline Police Department swore in three new sergeants during a ceremony at city hall Monday.
Officers Theo Helms, Chris Boulter and Bridget Seames were given their stripes and sergeant badge during the ceremony. Each swore to support the constitution of the United States and Michigan and faithfully perform the duties of police sergeant for the City of Saline.
Children of the new sergeants pinned collar brass, and spouses removed old SPD officer badges and replaced them with a sergeant’s badge. City Manager Todd Campbell also provided each sergeant with a certificate of promotion.
Mayor Brian Marl commended the threesome on their promotion.
“We live in a special place. Saline is a special place in large part because of the focus and commitment we have to public safety. Our safety and security wouldn’t be possible without you all,” Marl said. “Organizations thrive when outstanding, dedicated public servants have the opportunity for advancement. So I’m pleased to be here and pleased that (Chief Larry Hrinik) decided to have a public forum to promote these public servants.”
The department had planned to promote two officers to sergeant when it went to 12-hour shifts, but another vacancy was created when Sgt. Kevin Murphy announced his retirement.
Six officers from the department put in for the job. Officers studied over 1,000 pages of material over six weeks to prepare for a test. The officers were then grilled for an hour during an oral board that included four police chiefs from other jurisdictions
“Having been through that process myself, it’s very nerve-wracking and very difficult,” Police Chief Larry Hrinik said. “It causes you to sweat a little bit.”
Theo Helms
Theo Helms, a native of Alpena who now lives in Chelsea, began his law enforcement career in 1972 with the Michigan State Police. He left in 1974 to become a conservation officer with the DNR. He served as a lieutenant from 1994 to 1995, managing 19 conservation officers and two supervisors. He retired from the DNR in 1998 and began work with Saline Police in 2001 and became a police officer in 2003. Helms has a bachelor’s degree in biology with a minor in conservation.
“Theo has consistently been a top performer while here at the Saline Police Department,” Hrinik said.
Helm is married to his wife, Eileen. He has nine children.
Becoming a sergeant wasn’t easy for the long-time law enforcement officer
“The test was incredibly difficult. We probably spent more time than our families wanted to studying for this.”
Helms thanked his family, fellow officers, Chief Hrinik and City Manager Todd Campbell for their support.
Chris Boulter
Chris Boulter, a Saline High School grad who lives in Saline with his wife, Trina, and their two children, began his law enforcement career in 1999 with the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office.
Since joining the SPD, Boulter has been an advisor for the department’s Cadet Program. He began his employment with SPD in 1995 as a dispatcher and was appointed police officer in 2000. He is also the department’s evidence room administrator. He holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and his working on his master’s degree in interdisciplinary technology.
Boulter thanked everyone who has supported him over the years, and all of the senior officers who put up with his “antics.” He thanked those who helped him earn his degree in college.
Boulter noted that he’s been involved with the Saline Police Department since he was 14.
“If you would have asked me then if I would be standing here 25 years later, I would have said no,” Boulter said. “It’s truly an honor to be here in front of everybody. This is a great community. Everywhere I’ve gone in my life, I’ve always found my way back to Saline.”
Bridget Seames
Seames, a native of Holt who lives in Grass Lake, began her law enforcement career with the University of Michigan in 1984. She and her husband, Terry, have a daughter.
Seames was hired to be a police officer by the SPD in 1986. She has also been DARE instructor, investigator, firearms instructor, driving instructor and field training officer.
She has her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a master’s degree in guidance counseling.
Seames thanked her family and fellow officers for their support. She it was an interesting process.
“Chris and Don Terry and I on midnights had many debates and discussions about the test,” Seames said. “I’m looking forward to it. I think it’s going to be an interesting challenge for everyone.”
Before releasing everyone to eat cake and enjoy refreshments, Hrinik had every officer in the council chamber stand, raise their right hand and pledge to uphold the constitution and serve the community.
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