By Ryan Yuenger
ryany@wsjm.com
Change is coming to a local police department.
The Benton Charter Township Board of Trustees voted 5-2 in favor of naming Sgt. Greg Abrams the new Benton Township chief of police, effective Jan. 1, 2023.
Supervisor Cathy Yates, Clerk Carolyn Phillips, Trustee Rosie Hudson, Trustee Janice Avery and Trustee Lamont Betts voted in favor of Abrams becoming the new chief. Treasurer Debbie Boothby and Trustee Linda Scarbrough were the lone votes against Abrams.
During its regular meeting Monday, the township board – along with township attorney Andy Gordon – interviewed both Abrams and Detective Lt. Michael DenDooven. DenDooven was previously named interim police chief in July, replacing former Police Chief Brian Smit.
During his interview, Abrams talked about the fact that policing has changed, and it was time for a change in the department.
“We need to change more toward a community style of policing,” he said. “We need to start forming more relationships with our community instead of [the] hook them up, take them to jail type of policing.”
Abrams said he’s going to be hands-on with the community in his role as chief. He said he wants to start more events that engage the community, like a department cookout and other events to show they are giving back to the community.
“I’m that get-in-your-face kind of guy … I want to make contact to know what’s going on, [ask] ‘what do you need?’” Abrams said. “That’s pretty much how I’m going to do business from this day forth. Transparency is what it’s all about. I don’t want to see my community left in the dark, especially when some things are going on that really need some answers.”
Specifically, Abrams said he wants to address gun violence and the opioid epidemic.
“I’ve used Narcan more times than I care to have used it,” Abrams said. “I’ve gone to more shootings and homicides than I care to have gone to, especially in some of our housing developments. I’m trying to get together with as many other departments [as possible] to find what makes their programs work effectively and see if I can implement them into our department as well.”
Abrams has been in law enforcement for 28 years, and said he thinks his department should be a member-led department.
“I’ve always said that officers will be happier if they can be involved in some of the decisions that are made by the deputy chief or the chief,” Abrams said. “A lot of times, what happens is everything’s done behind closed doors and we just throw these things on the officer without ever getting their input. … That will make a difference with morale.”
From the Christmas Basket Giveaway he pioneered to being the township’s Neighborhood Watch officer, Abrams said he has already laid the groundwork in repairing the police-community relationship.
As for a fractured, board-police department relationship, Abrams said he has plans for that as well.
“I need to find out exactly what directions they would like to see this department going,” he said. “They’re my boss, and their input means everything. Then I need to meet with my officers and my command instructor to find out what ideas they have to move things forward as well … and just pull these things together. I can work with anybody, I really can.”
