Message from Chief Wade
As a life-long resident of Newaygo County, I am honored to serve the Grant community as your Chief of Police. In our vastly changing world, we as leaders must change as well. My goal is to lead the Grant Police Department into a more proactive and community-based policing model. I believe continued education and training are vital parts of leading certified police officers to create a safer community. I'm excited to use my many years of experience and certifications to help train, lead, and mentor new officers.
With 20+ years of Law Enforcement experience, I have had the opportunity to work all levels of a police officer's job. I started my career with the Newaygo County Sheriff's Office in 1998, working part-time as a marine patrol officer. Upon graduation from West Shore Community College, I was hired full-time as a third shift road patrol Deputy, and in 2002 was voted Officer of the Year by my peers and command staff. After several years, I was then assigned to the secondary road patrol unit where I worked traffic only. Upon completion of that 2 year assignment, I was promoted to Detective, where I worked major cases including B&E's, CSC's and several homicide investigations. I also worked as an undercover narcotics officer with CMET (Central MI Enforcement Team). After 15 months of undercover work, I accepted a position as a community policing Deputy. This was an excellent opportunity to get to know many people involved in our local governments. During my 15 years at the Sheriff's office, I was an operator(member of the entry team) for the Emergency Response Team (SWAT), the department's first Taser instructor, range instructor, patrol rifle instructor, as well as the department's armor and lead trainer.
In the Winter of 2011, I was sent to a Breaking & Entering in progress in Big Prairie Township. After catching the suspect outside of the business, I attempted putting the suspect under arrest. As the suspect resisted arrest, I slipped on the ice, causing the suspect and I to fall onto my back. I hit my head on the concrete and sustained a severe head injury. After 22 months of rehabilitation from Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital, I took 3 years off total and reconsidered my job as a Police Officer. After spending some time opening my own business, I realized all I ever wanted to do in life was to be a Police Officer. I returned to law enforcement full time and took a position as an officer at the Grant Police Department. After quickly rising through the ranks, I was appointed to the Chief of Police in January 2017.
As your Chief of Police, I want to bring leadership and trust back to the citizens of the City of Grant. I will accomplish this by having an "Open Door" policy to everyone. All complaints will be handled with the utmost sincerity, integrity, and respect. I will be your advocate for safety and protection.
I will work closely with the Newaygo County Sheriff's Office and the Michigan State Police for mutual aid, and will utilize the many services of both departments to better the City of Grant and its citizens, for many years to come.
Respectfully,
Chief Bradley R. Wade
Grant Police Department
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