Midland Hires First Female Police Chief
MIDLAND, Mich. — After a nationwide search, Nicole Ford will be sworn in on Feb. 3 as Midland’s new Chief of Police. Ms. Ford will become the city’s first female police chief. She succeeds Cliff Block, who retired last August and took the job of chief of police at Saginaw Valley State University.
Ms. Ford comes to Midland from Flat Rock, where she served as interim police chief and deputy police chief. She previously held roles as a lieutenant with the Huron Clinton Metroparks Police Department and as a sergeant and patrol officer with the Northfield Township Police Department. Ms. Ford has been in law enforcement for 22 years.
“Chief Ford is a highly respected professional in Michigan’s law enforcement community and brings with her extensive experience in all facets of community safety and security,” Midland City Manager C. Bradley Kaye said in a press release announcing Ms. Ford’s arrival. “We are excited to welcome her to Midland and look forward to her leadership in both the community and the Midland Police Department.”
Ms. Ford holds a bachelor’s degree in public safety administration and a master’s degree in public administration, both from Eastern Michigan University (EMU). She is also a graduate of the EMU School of Staff and Command and serves on its Police Staff and Command Executive Panel. She is an Assessor for the Michigan Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission and is a member of the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police and its Training and Education Committee.
Michael Westendorf is the chairman and executive editor of Chemical City Paper. As Executive Editor, he leads the City Paper’s news coverage and editorial team.