Madison Heights swears in new police chief

MADISON HEIGHTS — The Madison Heights Police Department has a new leader.

Brent LeMerise, formerly the deputy police chief, was sworn in as the police chief on June 29, taking over for Corey Haines, the previous chief who retired after 31 years with the department.

“I am incredibly excited,” LeMerise said. “Incredibly excited for the opportunity to lead this Police Department, and to strike a balance between some of the great things we’ve done, and some of the things we’d like to see changed. We’re looking for a collaborative effort here.”

LeMerise started as a public safety officer for Grosse Pointe Woods in 2002, cross-trained in both police and fire. After one year there, he joined the Madison Heights Police Department in 2003.

Since then, he has held positions such as road patrol officer, detective, road patrol sergeant, detective sergeant, road patrol lieutenant and deputy chief. He also worked as a hostage negotiator, field training supervisor and commander, and accreditation manager.

LeMerise said that he knew he was interested in police work as early as age 19. He began taking criminal justice courses at Macomb Community College, and put himself through the police academy after receiving his associate’s degree. He also took jobs related to law enforcement, including work in loss prevention at Hudson’s — now Macy’s — and later as uniformed security.

For his new role as the police chief, he has been preparing by attending chief’s conferences multiple times a year. He also attended a school for new chiefs and has registered for a staff and command school, beginning early next year. He is currently enrolled at Ferris State University and has been taking online courses as well.

He said that helping get the Police Department accredited in recent years has been one of his signature accomplishments. He was assigned as the department’s first-ever accreditation manager for that undertaking, which began in 2020. The process took nearly two years, during which LeMerise was tasked with writing policy and gathering proofs to show compliance with best policing practices for the state of Michigan.

“It was a lot of work to get our department accredited, and it’s going to be a lot of work to maintain it,” LeMerise said. “We will do it again every three years. It’s a lot of work, but it’s worth it to show the world — the public — that we have these standards, and we’re proud to maintain them.”

The new chief also reflected fondly on his eight years with the detective bureau, saying it afforded him the opportunity to help people “who have been victimized by the most heinous crimes” — an experience he found very rewarding.

Outside of work, LeMerise said he enjoys spending time with family and keeping healthy with hiking, jogging, golfing and other sports. He often travels with his wife, with plans this year to visit Boston where they will walk the Freedom Trail and catch a ball game at Fenway Park.

As chief, he said he will be focused on proactively recruiting a qualified and diverse workforce, meeting with them often to work on common goals, with an emphasis on contemporary training and up-to-date practices, such as de-escalation and crisis intervention tactics.

He is also keeping a close eye on the continued construction project on Interstate 75 and the effects it has pushing vehicle traffic onto surface streets and into neighborhoods. He said his team aims to create a safer environment by reducing violations and accidents.

He also wants the department to stay engaged with the community through outreach efforts, continuing traditions like the Bike Rodeo and maintaining a presence at the Pre-Fourth of July Festival in the Park, Trunk or Treat, and other events.

Haines, his predecessor, said in an email that he has full faith in LeMerise.

“Brent is a hard worker, and has the city’s best interest in mind,” Haines said.

Sean Fleming, a member of the City Council and its representative on the Crime Commission, said he is familiar with LeMerise from the times he filled in for Haines during commission meetings.

“As the deputy chief, Brent was very knowledgeable about what is going on with the police, and he’s been doing a lot of recruiting for them,” Fleming said. “I believe that he will do a great job as the new police chief. There are some people who were concerned that he doesn’t live in the city, but I don’t see that as a detriment in any way. I think he will do just fine.”

Mayor Roslyn Grafstein said via email that she was honored to congratulate LeMerise when he was sworn into his new role.

“Over a year ago, he was promoted to deputy police chief, in part due to the integral role he played in the Police Department’s accreditation process,” Grafstein said. “Chief LeMerise will bring his experience and ideas to the table as we continue to move the department forward. I appreciate his dedication to the city and to our safety, and fully support him as he leads us into the future.”

David Soltis, another council member, thanked Haines, the previous chief, for his service.

“He and I worked together, side by side, on numerous projects. I’m really going to miss him,” Soltis said. “However, I wish him well in his new endeavors, and I’m looking forward to having the same kind of communication and relationship with the incoming police chief. I have all the confidence in the world in Brent to keep our community safe.”