Tecumseh Police end the summer with new officer joining the ranks

The summer of 2015 is almost over and is ending with a new addition to the Tecumseh Police Department (TPD). Recent Washtenaw Community College Police Academy graduate Brian Meloche began training with the department on August 3.Meloche, originally from Hamburg Township, is currently in training with TPD. At the end of his training period in approximately four months, he will be evaluated to go on solo patrol.“This is my first hire of someone who’s brand new to law enforcement,” said Tecumseh Police Chief Troy Stern. “New officers are ready to learn, and are a sponge waiting to absorb information about the department.”According to Stern, the summer of 2015 has been consistent with past years for his officers. There are key events the department deals with every summer, and the season does change the dynamic of law enforcement.One positive change this summer was a decrease in larcenies from motor vehicles. Although he is not sure why these complaints are down, Stern is happy to see the decrease.Michigan International Speedway (MIS) races, kids out of school, loud summer gatherings and barking dogs are all common issues. For most issues the police officers act as mediators rather than law enforcement.The warmer summer weather brings more people outside. More interaction can sometimes inspire people to behave impulsively without thinking about the effect of their choices on others.“A lot of our complaints tend to be mischievous behavior,” said Stern. “We work with both sides, and our presence tends to add a calming effect.”MIS races are officially monitored and staffed by Michigan State Police. An officer is provided to Tecumseh and other municipalities affected by the increased traffic whose job it is to assist with anything traffic related.Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) sets the timing for traffic lights along the routes to MIS. The timing for lights in town does change during race weekend to allow for more time for travelers on M-50, and MDOT changes the timing back after race weekend is over.Although heroin and narcotics crimes have been more prevalent in neighboring counties, Tecumseh’s problem is steady rather than increasing. Stern doesn’t take the issue lightly.“We know that heroin is here. We know that it’s a problem,” he said. “I would love to have a narcotics officer again in Tecumseh. Working narcotics is a good experience for all officers.”The problem for Stern is the city’s budget doesn’t allow for enough coverage to make one of the road officers devote time to solely to working on a drug unit. “Public safety typically is the largest budget for a municipality and the first area to take cuts,” said Stern. “The city has been very supportive of the department, but we’re still two officers down from when I took over.”As the temperatures start to cool and fall arrives the focus of the department turns to the young people of Tecumseh. A new school year will find Stern and the other TPD officers monitoring the areas around schools during the day, especially in the morning and after school.“We want to make sure all drivers slow down and drive safely around our students,” Stern said. “During the first few weeks we make it a priority to be around the schools whenever we are not on a call.”