Grosse Pointe Shores

New Shores public safety director hits ground running

By K. Michelle Moran
C & G Staff Writer

GROSSE POINTE SHORES — For new Public Safety Director John J. Schulte, there has been no gradual transition into the job.

After he was sworn into office Jan. 26, he started work the next day — a Friday — and continued through that weekend. Since then, he’s been working weekdays, weekends and some evenings as he meets different shifts of officers and learns about the workings of his new department, and its vehicles and equipment. After all, like his predecessor, Stephen Poloni, Schulte might very well have to run a fire truck or go on patrol — the small department needs every hand on deck.

“There’s no real honeymoon here,” he said with a grin.

But Schulte doesn’t mind the long hours.

“To have another opportunity to serve in this capacity is an honor. … I’m all about service, and that’s what I intend to provide for this community — the best public safety protection that I possibly can.”

The former deputy public safety director and deputy chief of police and fire in Grosse Pointe Park was approved as the new director by the Shores City Council at a Jan. 17 meeting, pending a couple of modifications to his contract. Although he technically retired from the Park, Schulte, 56, said he’s really “not retired.” He called his time in the Park “one of the greatest experiences,” and is delighted to be back on the force.

“Truly, I am here because I want to be here. … I didn’t come here for a job — I came here for a career,” Schulte said. “I am very happy to lead this department.”

Poloni, who is now the public safety director in Grosse Pointe City, has been working closely with his successor to get him up to speed on how things work in the Shores.

“He’s been very helpful,” Schulte said.

Because of his career in the Park, Schulte was already familiar with certain aspects of the department, including the Grosse Pointes-Harper Woods mutual aid pact and shared emergency radio system.

“The fact that I worked in Grosse Pointe Park for so many years has helped,” Schulte admitted.

He also already knew a number of Shores officers.

“There’s some extremely professional officers in this department,” Schulte said. “I’m really impressed with their ability and how each one makes a contribution to this department. I’m grateful to be working with a great bunch of guys and women. They’ve been very welcoming.”

Schulte lives close to his new office: He’s only about a half-mile away in Grosse Pointe Woods. He and his wife, Colleen, a registered nurse, have been married for 29 years. The couple has three children: Christian, who will graduate from the University of Michigan this year; Annie, a U-M sophomore; and Kelly, a junior at Regina High School.

According to his résumé and a letter submitted to Shores City Manager Brian Vick, Schulte retired from the Park on April 30, 2010, after a 32-year career. He was the tactical team commander of a special weapons and tactics team in the Grosse Pointes and Harper Woods from 1988-98, taught at the Wayne County Regional Police Academy at Schoolcraft College’s Radcliff Campus in Garden City from 1994-97, and holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in criminal justice from Wayne State University.

An April 2010 letter of recommendation from Park City Manager Dale Krajniak and Mayor Palmer Heenan said Schulte served that city “with dedication, honor and loyalty.”

Interviewed recently about Schulte, Krajniak said he enjoyed working with him and that Schulte was “extremely loyal.”

“He’s just a solid person and of great character,” he said. “He would be a great addition to any community. … I think the Shores will be well-served by him.”

Schulte was hired for a three-year contract that can be automatically renewed annually, subject to a yearly performance evaluation by the city manager.

At press time, Schulte was slated to appear before the City Council at its next regular meeting Feb. 21. It wasn’t known if he would be sworn in again in front of a larger crowd or not.

Schulte isn’t related to City Council member Daniel Schulte.

You can reach C & G Staff Writer K. Michelle Moran at kmoran@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1047.