Press Release | Office of the Mayor | Westland Police Department Welcomes Three Former Westland PSA's as New Officers

For Immediate Release | Official Press Release

PRESS RELEASE

OFFICE OF THE MAYOR

36300 Warren Road | Westland, Michigan | 48185

Office 734.467.3200 | Fax 734.422.1230

WWW.CITYOFWESTLAND.COM

Westland Police Department Welcomes Three Former
Westland Police Service Aides as New Officers

Westland, MI (September 17, 2019) - On Monday, September 16 the Westland Police Department welcomed three new Police Officers at a swearing in ceremony at Westland City Hall. All three new officers hired on with the Westland Police Department as part time Police Service Aides (PSA's).

Officer Peter Bednarz grew up in the City of Wayne and gradutated from Livonia Churchill High School. He served as a Westland PSA for seven years and held the position of Trainer for three years. In April of 2019, he received the Westland Police Life Saving Award. Bednarz graduated from the Washtenaw Community College Police Academy in September 2019, where he was appointed to squad leader.

Officer Summer Chalfin graduated from Cabrini Catholic High School in 2015 and then went on to earn a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Psychology from Eastern Michigan University in 2019. She began working as a Westland PSA in May of 2017 and also attended the Washtenaw Community College Police Academy.

Officer Cameron Plofchan grew up in Garden City before eventually moving to the City of Westland. He graduated from Garden City High School in 2014 and then went on to earn an Associate's Degree in Criminal Justice in 2017. He is currently attending Eastern Michigan University and working towards a Bachelor's Degree in Public Safety Administration. Plofchan began work as a Westland PSA in February of 2017 and graduated from the Washtenaw Police Academy as a platoon leader.

"All three of these new officers began their careers with the City of Westland as Police Service Aides, working a variety of hours and holidays for very little pay," commented Police Chief, Jeff Jedrusik. "Their commitment to their goals and to the Westland Police Department is what got them here today. All three have built good, hard-working reputations and earned themselves the police service aide Chief's exemption, which allowed them each to successfully test against the other applicants and granted them the opportunity to be sponsored through the certifying academy."

"We are extremely proud to welcome these bright, energetic new officers to the Westland ranks," commented Mayor Wild. "These individuals will be incredible assets to the Westland Police Department and will set a positive example for young people in the Westland community."

For more information, please call Aubrey Berman at (734)467-3200

Westland, Michigan is the state's 10th largest municipality, with a population of over 84,000 people who exhibit a great deal of pride in their All-American City. Westland has a thriving business community along with beautiful residential areas. The citizens enjoy a wide array of amenities and a quality of life that is second to none.

In 2014, Westland was rated as one of 24/7 Wall Street's America's Best 50 Cities to Live, offering residents and visitors an ideal blend of single-family affordable homes, apartments and condominiums, great schools, and access to numerous outdoor activities. Public safety is delivered by full-service, professional law enforcement and firefighting personnel. Westland Police Department, whose motto is protect and serve, provides emergency dispatch services to four cities and over 100,000 residents; the Westland Fire Department are licensed paramedics who responded to over 9,000 calls for service last year, about 85% being medical based. They never forget their mission of preserving life and property.

Westland is well-known as the premier destination for shopping and dining in Wayne County with hundreds of shops and restaurants anchored by the Westland Shopping Center, one of the country's original four regional malls.

Infinite opportunities are available in Westland for the recreation aficionado including, more than 40 parks and 1,500 acres of trails, a 9-hole golf course, hockey arena, athletic fields, playscapes, a Farmers and Artisans Market and more. One of Michigan's most environmentally friendly cities, Westland has a progressive curbside recycling program with one of the highest participation rates in the nation and the City is raising the bar for cultural experiences with the placement of public art throughout the City.

The City is served by two public school districts; Wayne-Westland Community Schools serving 12,000 youth was recently named one of the Best School in Michigan by WXYZ-TV and is the proud recipient of 14 Golden Apple and two Michigan Blue Ribbon Exemplary School Awards. Livonia Public Schools, educating nearly 15,000 students, is proud of their MEAP/MME scores that exceed state averages and the District has also earned Golden Apple and Michigan Blue Ribbon Exemplary School Awards.

The City provides competitive incentives for those who are interested in investing in Westland, making it one of the hottest investment markets in the region. Our Fast-Track to Business Team, which consists of key decision makers who work diligently on a development plan will "cut the red tape" and expedite the approval process for new business development.