Telegram - Serving Metropolitan Detroit Since 1944

WESTLAND - On Monday, December 6, the Westland Police Department swore in their newest member, Officer Cole Rice.

Rice grew up in Garden City and graduated from Garden City High School. He went on to obtain an Associates Degree in Criminal Justice from Schoolcraft College and then graduated from the Wayne County Regional Police Academy.

Officer Rice served as a Westland Police Explorer for four years and then as a Westland Police Service Aide for two years. He advanced to a Trainer and was ultimately selected to receive the "Chief's Exemption" allowing him to test for a police officer position.

"In an effort to recruit officers and diversify the Police Department, the Westland Police Department offers a "Chief's Exemption Program" to our Police Service Aide employees.," commented Police Chief Jeff Jedrusik. "Police Service Aides are part time employees who work in the jail, answer non-emergency calls, transport prisoners to/from Court, and assist the officers with day to day duties. If a Police Service Aide works for a minimum of 8 months, he/she has positive performance evaluations and based on approval of the Chief, they are provided the ability to take the police civil service test without the requirement of the police academy."

"The Westland Police Service Aide program continues to serve as an excellent feeder program to attract bright, young talent to our department," commented Mayor William R. Wild. "We are pleased to welcome Officer Rice and wish him the best in his future career, here in Westland."

For more information on the Westland Police Department visit https://www.cityofwestland.com/258/Police-Department.