Retired police chief now serving on West Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees

WEST BLOOMFIELD — After Michael Patton retired as the chief of the West Bloomfield Police Department Jan. 10, days later he was appointed as a member of the township’s Board of Trustees.

“When God closes a door, He opens a window, and that’s how I look at this opportunity,” Patton said.

Although he is retired from law enforcement, he still has the desire to serve the community he loves.

“I sought an opportunity to continue in service in some way in the community because this is where my home is. This is where my heart is and I have a lot of love for this community and a lot of energy,” Patton said.  “Still a lot of gas left in the gas tank to be able to serve the community.”

Service is what Patton is about. He served nearly 40 years for the West Bloomfield Police Department, including approximately 15 as chief.

A vacancy on the West Bloomfield Board of Trustees became available when the township’s former supervisor, Steven Kaplan, took a position as an assistant prosecutor in Wayne County. Jonathan Warshay, who was then a trustee, was appointed township supervisor, thus leaving a seat available on the Board of Trustees.

“We are very fortunate to have someone so uniquely qualified to fill that role,” Debbie Binder, who is the township’s clerk and a Board of Trustees member, said of Patton. “He brings 40 years of experience and knowledge, ready to hit the ground running immediately.”

Binder explained that although people submitted letters of interest to be a Board of Trustees member, “It wasn’t an application process.”

“In normal circumstances the public would be making this decision at the ballot box,” Binder said.

However, with an open seat available on the Board of Trustees, Binder said that “the Board has the duty to fill the vacancies.”

According to Binder, it was a unanimous vote by the Board of Trustees to appoint Patton.

Patton is in agreement with the Board’s decision to appoint him.

“I think it was a good pick given my previous service. I had the opportunity to understand most, if not all, the processes of township budgets and planning and zoning and all of those kinds of capacities,” Patton said.  “I think it is a logical choice the Township Board made and I’m honored to be selected and continue in service here in the township.”

If he would like to continue on the Board of Trustees after 2026, he will have to run for a two-year term.

“I always like to keep my options open. I’m not saying no to any of that,” Patton said. “I’ll consider that as I get a little closer to 2026. That’s still a little while off.”

Patton addressed some of the things the Board would like to accomplish in 2025.

“We want to continue providing the greatest quantity and quality of services here to our residents, our businesses, and maintain a great public safety environment for both police and fire,” Patton said. “I think there is a responsibility in government. You’re spending other people’s money and I think there is a great responsibility in that. I’m going to be a voice and a vote in all those areas.”