TCPD Chief O'Brien To Retire

By Beth Milligan | March 1, 2023

Traverse City Police Department Chief Jeff O'Brien will retire this summer after more than three decades with the department, City Manager Marty Colburn announced Monday.

Colburn said O'Brien will be stepping down as of June 30. O'Brien has been with the TCPD since 1991. He was promoted from interim chief of police to chief of police in 2015, beating out a field of 47 other candidates for the position. He told The Ticker at the time: "I want to be as transparent as we possibly can, to let people know this is their police department and the civilians control this." Since then, the TCPD transitioned to a model of community policing, introduced body cameras on officers, and added a quick response team and social worker to address the link between substance misuse, mental health, and homelessness, among other initiatives.

Colburn said he was "very proud of the police department" as well as the work O'Brien has done "personally and professionally." In his remarks, Colburn cited O'Brien's leadership skills and his focus on continuing education and community outreach. "He'll be missed," Colburn said.

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