Council Could Choose Police Chief Monday Night

could choose a new Chief of when it meets at City Hall at 7:30 p.m. Monday.

City Council interviewed the final two candidates, David Northrop and Larry Hrinik, during meetings Saturday afternoon. Both candidates performed well during interviews, according to city officials quoted in an article by Heritage Newspapers journalist Jim Pruitt.

Northrop has been Director of Public Safety since 2004. He was Chief of Police and Deputy Chief of Police in Sturgis from 2001-04. As chief, after a study, he recommended the fire and police services be rolled into a Public Safety Department. He also merged the dispatch services with St. Joseph County Central Dispatch. He’s been with Sturgis since 1988, where he has also been a police officer, Youth Services Officer and Corporal. He began his law enforcement career in Cassopolis and Lawrence in 1987. Northrop was a Platoon Sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1985-91, leading 84 Marines during a combat environment during the Gulf War. Northrop earned his B.S. in Public Services Administration and also in Criminal Justice from Siena Heights University.

Hrinik was Chief of the Davison Township Police Department from 1993 until February of 2012. Prior to that, worked as a police officer in Buena Vista Township Police Department from 1974-1993. He was promoted to Sergeant in 1985. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and Sociology and his Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership and Administration from Saginaw Valley State College. He has been an instructor at the University of Michigan-Flint, Saginaw Valley State University, Flint Regional Police Academy and St. Mary’s Medical Center.

A third finalist, Captain Gerald Scherlinck of the Troy Police Department, removed himself from consideration and accepted the chief's position in Milan.

Some officers in the Saline Police Department are unhappy with the process. Some officers complained that department personnel weren't given a bigger role in the process. One officer said council should have been presented with more than two candidates. Many in the department were happy with the leadership of Interim Chief Mike Lindman. in January following the . When Lindman was hired, Saline City council was looking for an interim chief who would work on a strictly temporary basis. But after hearing Lindman would be interested in the post and good things about his performance, the . but was presented to city council.