Berkley Public Safety Department Promotes Andrew Hadfield to Sergeant

Berkley Public Safety Officer Andrew Hadfield recently was promoted to the rank of sergeant, with an outpouring of support from his colleagues and family.

BPS Director Richard Eshman praised Hadfield's professionalism and dedication to community service when he made the announcement during the Nov. 19 City Council meeting.

Hadfield has worked his way up since joining the department as a dispatcher 12 years ago, with the following accomplishments, Eshman noted.

• 2003: Became a BPS animal control officer and negotiated a shared services agreement with Royal Oak.
• 2003: Went to the fire academy and became a volunteer firefighter.
• 2004: Went to the police academy and became a public safety officer.
• 2011: Spent 9 months in the detective bureau developing additional skills.

"He has served admirably for 8 years as an officer," Eshman said. "His work ethic and enthusiasm led to three Mothers Against Drunk Driving awards."

Eshman also noted Hadfield's dedication to community service, including helping to initiate the Behind the Badge cable show, spearheading the Lids for Kids program, giving fire safety and stranger danger presentations in the schools and developing a program for children with special needs at Anderson Middle School.

"Clearly, Andrew is an intelligent, compassionate, well-rounded person and a versatile officer who is well-deserving of this promotion," Eshman said.

The director also pointed out that promoting Hadfield to a supervisory position is a key part of the department's succession plan. Eshman and Deputy Director Robert North, who fill the department's senior-most leadership roles, both have retired and are working as contract employees. Sgt. Tom Dzendzel retired from the Public Safety Department on May 1.

"Thank you very much for giving me the chance to serve you, to serve the residents," Hadfield said Nov. 19 in front of a City Council audience packed with his colleagues and loved ones. "I would like to thank my family and my dad and my stepmom and my wife.

"Hopefully I can do a good job for everybody," he said.