Merry Christmas from West Michigan

**tac970** · 12-15-09, 04:54 PM

Greetings from the cold state of Michigan.

I was just made aware of this site by a friend, KaiGywer. Thank Kai for the heads up. I have been quite active on another officer site (I won't post it publically, but if you want to know, I'll let you know in a PM to avoid any "competing" site "advertisements in public.)

I have been in volunteer public safety since 1987, having served my community with our emergency services unit. Prior to my departure in 1997, I was serving as the assistant director with the rank of Lt.

In 1997, seeking new challenges, I joined the City of Hudsonville Police Department as a reserve officer. I continued to serve with them until the city disbanded the police department in favor of contracted coverage from the county sheriff's office in 2006. At the time of disbanding, I was the most senior reserve on the department.

In 2006, I changed from blue to brown when I made the change to the county. I have served with the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office in the capacity of both a reserve deputy and a marine deputy ever since and continue to this day.

In October of this year, I entered my 23rd year of service to my community and don't see an end to it any time soon. I was honored in October of 2008 when I was presented with a Presidential Serivce lifetime achievement award.

I'm a big officer safety proponent and make it a point to learn something new every day. Complacency in this business can get you seriously hurt or killed. I may "only" be a reserve, but I've made a career out of volunteer public safety and my dedication is as such.

Be safe everyone. Thank you for your service to your community and have a very Merry Christmas.

tac.

**Buttercup** · 12-15-09, 04:59 PM

Welcome and Merry Christmas to you as well!

**Jenna** · 12-15-09, 05:02 PM

Welcome, and merry Christmas to you too!

**kjlaw** · 12-15-09, 05:15 PM

Welcome from Louisiana

**Pudge** · 12-15-09, 05:52 PM

Welcome from Ohio, good to have you sir!

**2 Blue 4 U** · 12-15-09, 07:14 PM

Hello &

**pgg** · 12-15-09, 07:19 PM

Howdy from the Emerald Triangle. Be sure to send your information into Pudge113 or Countybear for verification

**iso607** · 12-15-09, 08:02 PM

Welcome from Louisiana.

**Second Chance** · 12-15-09, 08:22 PM

from South Louisiana..........

**KaiGywer** · 12-15-09, 11:06 PM

Welcome

Glad to see you here

**Autumn2009** · 12-15-09, 11:08 PM

Hey!

I live in Jenison, so we're like neighbors.

Welcome

**Captain America** · 12-16-09, 12:27 AM

Hello and welcome aboard from Louisiana.

**CTR man** · 12-16-09, 02:54 AM

Welcome from Northern California.

**mack** · 12-16-09, 06:21 AM

Welcome and a warm Merry Christmas from SE Indiana. Enjoy the site!

**tac970** · 12-16-09, 07:22 AM

Originally Posted by pgg

Howdy from the Emerald Triangle. Be sure to send your information into Pudge113 or Countybear for verification

Thanks for the welcome, but since the State of Michigan doesn't recognize reserves and provide them with certification...this site's standards for verification prevent me from doing so.

I wear the same uniform, I go to the same calls/complaints, I'm the second officer on scene, but have to get my "authority" from my full time partner. That is...as long as I'm on land. Once I hit the water for marine patrol...then this same reserve suddenly has his own authority to act on his own as a uniformed officer.

Makes sense, doesn't it? Welcome to the way things are in Michigan. But then again, there aren't many things in this state that aren't screwed up any more.

But thanks for the welcome.

**Jenna** · 12-16-09, 07:55 AM

Originally Posted by tac970

I wear the same uniform, I go to the same calls/complaints, I'm the second officer on scene, but have to get my "authority" from my full time partner. That is...as long as I'm on land. Once I hit the water for marine patrol...then this same reserve suddenly has his own authority to act on his own as a uniformed officer.

Instant authority--just add water!