First round of interviews held for Tecumseh Police Chief

By DEB WUETHRICH

An interview panel began public interviews of five candidates for the position of Tecumseh Police Chief on Wednesday, Sept. 1. Two candidates were asked a series of questions by Tecumseh City Manager Kevin Welch, Mayor Harvey Schmidt, Tecumseh Fire Chief Joe Tuckey, Interim Police Chief Scott Smith, business owner Beth Kennedy, and Adrian Police Chief Terry Collins.

Lt. Todd Mutchler, who lives in Manchester, currently serves with the Canton Police Department where he has worked for 23 years. He said he was drawn to apply for the position because, “It’s always been a goal of mine to be chief, and this position was too rich to pass up.”

Lt. Mutchler’s responsibilities have included being a platoon commander, working patrol, supervising the detective patrol for three years, and overseeing school resources officers. He said his personal management style includes getting to know the strengths, weaknesses and personalities of the officers and tapping into their strengths.

One of his accomplishments in his present position was his role in the establishment of the Canton Response To Hate Crimes Coalition, which included partnerships within the community for which he received an award. Lt. Mutchler also shared some of his ideas on how to engage with the community with the panel, stating, “I think one of the keys to the police organization is engagement with the community.” He said he believes a police chief has many opportunities and avenues through which to be a part of the community and even to serve as an ambassador.

Executive Lt. Carl Fuhs, Jr., is currently employed by the West Bloomfield Township Police Department and is in his 34th year in law enforcement. He is third in command at the department, which has 77 staff members. He has been a patrol division commander, and has past experience as an administrative services commander and an investigation commander. He’s also served as Public Information Officer for 15 years.

Ex. Lt. Fuhs said he has training in Homeland Security, emergency management and vulnerability assessment, and has been a firearms instructor, evidence technician, and detective, among other roles. He said he loves law enforcement, and thought that Tecumseh, though smaller than his current department, might provide a good fit for him at this phase of his career.

Ex. Lt. Fuhs said he likes organization and operates from that standpoint, and believes that leadership is accountable for whatever occurs within the ranks, as are the officers themselves. He also believes that manpower is most needed on patrol in a police department.

“When people call for service, they expect an officer to be there and we have to give them one,” he said. He also believes that a police department can benefit from having volunteers work there, including retired officers.

Both candidates were strong proponents of making a connection with the schools, whether it’s having the police chief or officers read to students, conducting programs at school, or offering police department tours to schoolchildren.

The candidates were told that a decision should be made within the next two weeks. Welch said that allowance would be made for the possibility of second interviews if the panel so desires, however, following Thursdays round of candidates. A recommendation would most likely be made to Tecumseh City Council at the Sept. 20 meeting.

The Sept. 2 candidates are: Michigan State Police Detective Sgt. Robert Sinclair, 9 a.m.; Port Huron Police Chief Donald Porrett, 10:30 a.m., and Tecumseh Police Sgt. Troy Stern, 1 p.m.

“We have five very well qualified candidates,” said Welch. “We’re lucky to have that.”