Viewfinder: Utica Bids Farewell To Longtime Police Chief

Current and past colleagues, friends and family members gathered Thursday night at Villa Penna's for Utica Police Chief Michael Reaves' retirement party.

Reaves, 53, has accepted the job as the .

Reaves, who has been with the Utica Police Department for 32 years and rose in the ranks from dispatcher to chief, was all smiles Thursday as his friends, former and future colleagues and family members came out to

Paul Brown, a current 41A District Court officer, said he has known Reaves for more than three decades, when the two were narcotics officers together for the Roseville police department.

“He’ll be welcomed in Port Huron. He’ll do well," said Fraser Lt. Jeff Newton, who said he has known Reaves for more than 15 years.

Reaves' first day in Port Huron was March 28. The longtime Macomb County resident said he plans to move his home and family closer to his new job in the near feature.

Reaves will take over interim Chief Lt. Larry David’s spot. He has been filling the vacancy since Jan. 1.

The next Utica chief will be filled by mayoral appointment. Utica Mayor Jackie Noonan is accepting applications from inside and outside the department and then will conduct interviews.