Police chief leaving Grand Rapids points to anti police sentiment from leadership

Outgoing chief says lack of support from city leadership undermined policing

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Outgoing Grand Rapids Police Chief Eric Winstrom said a lack of consistent support from city leaders and what he described as the politicization of policing contributed to challenges during his tenure, comments that came as he announced he is leaving the department.

Winstrom said policing is more difficult in cities that are not broadly supportive of law enforcement, contrasting Grand Rapids with cities he described as “reflexively pro police.” He said resistance from elected officials and community leaders made it harder to implement what he called basic policing tools and initiatives.

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“If you politicize policing, that’s a recipe for failure,” Winstrom said, adding that successful cities and successful police departments “go hand in hand.”

Grand Rapid TV stations failed to include this information in their stories about why Winstrom is leaving. You can read their stories here —- WZZM TV, WOOD TV, FOX17

The people who watch those tv stations would have no idea the chief is leaving also because of the anti police sentiment.

Winstrom pointed to opposition he encountered over the use of police drones, which he described as a standard law enforcement tool, saying the department faced repeated hurdles in gaining political and community approval. He also cited criticism of a documentary series that showed the daily work of the police department, saying some officials objected not because the content was inaccurate, but because it portrayed the department in a positive light.

Winstrom said some elected officials used policing issues to score political points, calling those criticisms “unserious.” He said that approach undermines public safety and damages the ability of police departments to operate effectively.

While Winstrom acknowledged multiple factors in his decision to leave, he said family considerations ultimately led him to conclude it was the right time to step away. He said he wanted to leave after accomplishing major goals despite what he described as significant political headwinds.

City officials said an interim police chief will be appointed while a national search for a permanent replacement is conducted. The city manager said the process is expected to move faster than previous searches.

Winstrom did not publicly announce his next position, but multiple media outlets have reported he is expected to become police chief in Pensacola, Florida.

Winstrom thanked city leadership for hiring him as an outsider and said the department navigated periods of intense scrutiny during his tenure. He said his focus was ensuring the department did not worsen already difficult situations and said he believes the city is in a stronger position than when he arrived.

His final day with the Grand Rapids Police Department has not yet been announced.