Sumpter Township Oks outfitting new police car, hires new police officer

Sumpter Township Public Safety Director/Police Chief Eric Luke told the township board at its June 27 meeting that the new police car they expected in August was being delivered that week or the next week.
The new 2023 Ford Interceptor, ordered in February, needs to be outfitted by Herkimer Radio Service at the total estimated cost of $9,339.55, Director Luke said and the board unanimously approved it.
The funds are being provided by the department’s forfeiture fund.
Luke said fortuately this is the last vehicle that will cost so much to refit, unless Ford redesigns the Explorer and changes the interior dimensions.
He said when dimensions stay the same, they simply switch most of the equipment from the old vehicle to the new one. A few minor costs occur, like new brackets, connectors, and the occasional replacement of obsolete equipment. When this can occur, the price is normally in the $3,000 to $4,000 range.
“Unfortunately, because this is the last vehicle [in the township fleet], the price remains high because we must replace big-ticket items like the console, rear plastic seat with partition, etc. …” he wrote in a memo to the board.
The board also approved hiring Larence McLendon as a full-time police officer, contingent upon him passing the required physical, psychological, and drug tests.
McLendon, 43, resides in Oak Park and attended the Oakland County Regional Police Training Academy, graduating in November 2011. He has been a sworn police officer since 2012, working for the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office until 2021 and most recently with the Huron Clinton Metropolitan Authority. He earned an associate degree from Oakland Community College in 2011 and a bachelor of science in criminal justice from Ferris State University in 2021.
This is in increase in staffing for the Sumpter police department, approved by the board at its May 9 meeting. McLendon’s pay will start at the second-year rate due to his previous law enforcement experience.
In other business at the June 27 meeting, the board:
• Voted unanimously to have Trustee Matthew Oddy chair both the workshop and the regular meeting in the absence of Supervisor Tim Bowman;
• Heard Trustee/Deputy Supervisor Tim Rush announce that the Parks and Recreation Family Fun Day is set for July 22 from noon until 4 p.m. and volunteers are needed. Volunteers may sign up at the clerk’s office;
• Heard Trustee Rush report he talked to former Trustee Don Swinson, who had been chairman of the Turkey Shoot event over the years, and learned that the cost of everything for the event has tripled since before the pandemic and it is not possible to hold the event. Rush suggested reaching out to businesses for donations. Fire Chief Brown said there are no plans for a chicken broil this year;
• Heard Township Administrator Anthony Burdick say that the cleanup at Martinsville Cemetery before Memorial Day was aided by a local business, All Year Tree Service, who removed the huge pile of branches gathered in one visit “with a smile”;
• Heard Administrator Burdick report that there are a number of issues with the recycling program, including availability of volunteers. He said residents want to be able to recycle more than once a month. He said Republic Waste will bring them options. He suggested moving the recycling area up to the front of the site with a camera so it can be used 24/7;
• Heard Burdick recommend pulling in and reevaluating the five township properties still listed for sale with Moving the Mitten;
• Heard a report from Deputy Clerk Karen Armatis on the work being done on the Memorial Garden next to township hall. She displayed a picture of the new tree and the new plaque under the trees. She said the board authorized the plaque seven years ago and six years in a row they did lose someone;
• Heard Armatis report on the Martinsville Cemetery project, saying specifications for the fencing with an arch over the gate is being done and they are receiving other bids. She said the ground-penetrating radar is under $5,000. She said she found the oldest person buried in the cemetery, a 106-year-old woman;
• Learned that recordings of the board meetings will be back on cable channel 12 soon, three times a day. The township has the capability to live stream, but a lot more is needed before that can happen;
• Heard resident Mary Ban ask about the tri-community museum that is still closed. She asked if the township has any word about the museum. Burdick said Elizabeth Renaud and her deputy Tammy Dohring told him they are assessing input they already have. They also told him that they will assess Sumpter artifacts at the museum and alert him to any they wish to dispose of; and
• Learned the seniors will have tickets and transportation to the Detroit Tigers game on Aug. 23 for $38 each and on Sept. 24 at $135 each. A Red Cross Blood Drive is scheduled in July.