Grosse Pointe Shores Swears In New Officer

For the first time in years, has hired a new public safety officer to add to the department. Mayor Ted Kedzierski swore Joseph A. Ajlouny Jr. in Tuesday during a council meeting.

Ajlouny began field training Wednesday. He recently graduated from the Macomb Police Academy, where he enrolled to enhance his job opportunities after working as a full-time firefighter for Taylor for nearly 12 years. He was laid off in July 2011.

Before working for Taylor, he was an intake paramedic for Henry Ford Macomb Hospital.

Ajlouny said Tuesday he was looking forward to getting started on the job and is happy he is able to continue using his firefighting and paramedic skills in Grosse Pointe Shores. The officers in the Shores are fully trained paramedics in addition to being police officers and firefighters.

His wife, Audrey, and the couple's two young children, attended the swearing-in ceremony. Audrey Ajlouny pinned her husband's new badge on after Director of Public Safety John Schulte introduced Ajlouny.

Lt. David Younk is an instructor at the Macomb Police Academy and passed his name along to Schulte knowing the department was in need of additional officers. Younk noted that he was already trained as a firefighter and paramedic, all of which is required in addition to being a police officer in the Shores.

In addition to swearing in a new officer, Schulte also promoted two officers within the department.

Fraser Appointed to Sergeant

Public Safety Officer Doug Fraser earned a promotion to sergeant after scoring the highest on a test. Schulte noted Fraser's years of service with the department as well as his numerous awards and recognitions both within the department but also from residents and others he's encountered in his daily job.

Fraser has worked as a public safety officer in Grosse Pointe Shores since December 1996. Previously he worked for the Port Huron Fire Department, the New Haven Police Department and as a deputy for the St. Clair County Sheriff's Department.

He serves as the department's firearms instructor and defensive tactics instructor. He also served on the Grosse Pointe-Harper Woods Special Response Team, also called the SRT.

Fraser's wife, Vickie, pinned his new badge on him during the ceremony.

Nicholson Promoted to Lieutenant

Schulte also promoted Sgt. Bill Nicholson to the rank of lieutenant. His promotion is in preparation for the retirement of Younk, which is coming next month, Schulte said.

Nicholson's wife, a former Grosse Pointe Shores public safety officer herself, Jacquelyn, also pinned his new badge on during the ceremony.

Nicholson has worked for the department for 22 years. He is a patrol supervisor and the department's certified fire inspector--with knowledge that is often helpful not only to the Shores but to the other Grosse Pointes when a major fire happens.

Schulte noted the many commendations Nicholson has earned during his time with Grosse Pointe Shores and numerous letters of thanks from residents for his help.

In addition to Nicholson's extensive fire training, Schulte described him as a mentor and teacher to fellow officers.