Sterling Heights swears in four new police officers; council and chief note staffing and academy timelines

Sterling Heights on Monday swore in four new police officers at the council meeting, and interim Police Chief Ken Pappas used the occasion to describe how one new hire came to the department through an encounter that reopened a testing window.

Chief Pappas introduced the recruits and administered the oath. He related a chance encounter that led to one recruit's application and testing: "The best move I ever made was to come to the city of Sterling Heights," Pappas said in recounting an earlier conversation he used to encourage a Detroit officer to apply to Sterling Heights.

The new officers were identified in council remarks as Daniel Brockman (26), Christopher Medaya (23), Joshua Hillwig (21) and Alejandro (surname in transcript unclear). Biographical details provided at the meeting included prior service with departments including Detroit, Troy and Wayne State University Public Safety and local ties for several recruits.

Council members congratulated the officers and their families and highlighted the public-safety staffing context. Councilwoman Barb Zarko noted the department's remaining vacancies and academy timing: "Right now, we are, we're down to 2 individuals, but 1 of them is in the academy. So we can't hire him until May 15, and then we have 1 other spot," she said, adding the city expects further retirements and additional hiring needs later in the year.

Chief Pappas praised council support for training and equipment and said the council's investments enable the department to recruit experienced officers from other agencies. No formal vote or action was tied to the swearing-in; the item was a ceremonial recognition and human-resources update presented during the meeting.