1968 Departmental Photo
In July of 1967 I started my career in the City of Westland, population 88,000. Westland had been incorporated as a City the previous year. Prior to it’s incorporation, Westland was the old Nankin Township. I was hired with a group of thirteen recruits that brought the department’s compliment to 42 officers. Only a few of us had no prior law enforcement experience. We received one week of in-house training and then put on the road with a senior officer.
At that time there were no certification requirements for new officers. Several months later I was sent to the Police Academy at Oakland Community College.
1967 to 1972, City of Westland; 1972 to 1977 City of Chelsea; 1977 to 1981 Police Chief, Leoni Township, Jackson County; 1981 to 2000 Police Chief of Marshall, Calhoun County; 2002 to 2010, after retirement I accepted a position in the 10th District Court as a Magistrate.
Click on the Thumbnails for full Image
1968 Departmental Photo
Westland Police Grads
Detroit News May 7, 1970
R Graves; D Rollo; J Codde; M Willerick
1982 Kawasaki Police Special
Marshall Chronicle People’s Choice Award, July 27, 1992
Gov. John Engler Visits Marshall
Chief Roger Graves 1999
District Court Magistrate Roger Graves
Calhoun County Justice Center, Battle Creek, MI
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Mr. Graves,
I am a member of the Westland Historic Village Park. Recently we created a fire equipment display from several items that had been donated over the years. However, we do not have anything from the police department. I was wondering if you would be willing to donate any pictures or items to create a police department display. We are open on Saturdays from 1 pm to 4 (except holidays).
Please email me if you would like to donate anything or if you know of anyone who would be willing to donate.
Thank you,
Ryan
I have just ran across this blog site. My father and uncle was stationed at Barin Field from 1953-1955. He had said that he would love to hear where his chiefs were. Unfortunately, he didn’t remember their first names, but they are Chief Hawke, West and Pritchett. This is probably a long shot if anyone knows anything about these 3. My father and uncle are Dillard L Sutton and Hobert L Sutton. Thanks for letting me ask this question.
Donna
Good luck. My tenure at Barin was ‘57 – ‘58. That was the year the base was decommissioned and I was transferred to NAS Pennsacola.