Police Chief Honored for Supporting Officers in National Guard, Reserves

The Dearborn Police Department received the prestigious “Above and Beyond” Award for supporting police officers who are in the military during a June 28 ceremony presented by the Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) banquet at Michigan State University.

Police Chief Ronald Haddad accepted the award, and was accompanied by Police Sgt. Robert Seeley and Officer Bradley Clair.

ESGR, founded in 1972, is a federally-funded organization committed to recognizing, developing, and maintaining employer support for National Guard and Military Reserve activities.

Dearborn was one of just three public safety departments in the state to receive the “Above and Beyond” Award in 2014.

A total of 10 awards were given by the ESGR to state employers in small business, large business and public sector categories, which, like Dearborn, display a strong commitment to facilitating and encouraging their employees’ participation in Guard and Reserve functions.

Dearborn Mayor John B. O’Reilly, Jr. ensures the City honors those who are serving or have served in the military through meaningful events on Memorial Day, Flag Day, Korean War Armistice Day and Veterans Day, and during other ceremonies throughout the year.

But just as important, he makes sure that resources are dedicated to provide tangible support to those in the armed forces and their families, including employment opportunities.

O’Reilly has been an advocate for the Hiring our Heroes veterans’ job fair presented in Dearborn since 2012 at the city’s Ford Community and Performing Arts Center by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and other partners, including the ESGR.

“This award accepted by Chief Haddad is a reflection of the City of Dearborn’s longtime practice of making it as seamless as possible for our employees to transition back and forth from serving our community and serving our country,” said O’Reilly.  “We appreciate their dedication, which ultimately helps all of us, and in return, we need to support them in carrying out their duty at both levels.”

The Dearborn Police Department offers many benefits to those who serve in the armed forces. The department offers pay differential and continued health care coverage for the deployed employee, actively recruits candidates with military experience, and gives hiring preference to veterans.

Dearborn Police Officer Clair, who is a chief petty officer in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve, stationed in Sault Ste. Marie, nominated Chief Haddad and the Dearborn Police Department for the award because he recognized the department’s commitment to supporting his mission with the military.

Dearborn Police Sgt. Seeley is a lieutenant colonel in the Michigan Air National Guard and is the 127th Deputy Maintenance Group Commander at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Mt. Clemens.

The department has several other employees who have in the past or are actively participating in Guard and Reserve programs.

Chief Haddad stated, “It is extremely important for employers to support Guard and Reserve activities and to recognize the vital role these men and women play in ensuring our national defense and in promoting public safety as a whole.”

Source: City of Dearborn

Photo courtesy of the City of Dearborn