Shelby Names Interim Police Chief

Captain Roland Woelkers will serve as the Acting Chief of the Shelby Township Police Department until the permanent position is filled.

Chief Robert Leman, who has been the chief for 10 years, was put on administrative leave until his contract expires on Oct. 1, according to Supervisor Richard Stathakis.

On Tuesday evening, the Shelby Township Board of Trustees .

“This was not about removing anyone. It was simply a decision about whether or not to renew his contract. We as a board simply decided to not to renew his contract,” said Stathakis.

Immediately Wednesday morning, Stathakis designated Woelkers as the Captain Acting Chief of the department.

During a public meeting Sept. 23 at the Township Municipal Halls, Stathakis will meet with the Police and Fire Civil Service Commission to formalize the designation.

Woelkers, who has been with the Shelby Township Police Department for 23 years and worked his way up the ranks from a patrolman to a Dare Officer to Captain, has stepped in twice in the past year as acting chief when Leman was out for health-related issues.

“The department was well run. Things are going fine and we’re going to continue that,” said Woelkers.

Woelkers said he did not want to comment on the direction he would take the department until the dust settles from Tuesday’ night’s decision, but he did say the police department will miss Chief Leman.

“As a department, and officers in the department, we are sad to see him (Leman) go. He was well-respected and well-liked in the department, and a man of good character and a strong set of ethics,” said Woelkers.

As for the permanent position, Stathakis said the board will first look internally to fill the chief’s position.

“We have interested candidates and I would be one of them,” said Woelkers.