GRAND RAPIDS, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — After nearly 35 years in law enforcement, Grand Rapids Police Chief Eric Payne will retire in early 2022. Payne has been chief for two years and is the first African American to have the job in Grand Rapids.
“When I started in the department, there were very few, if any, minorities across the board in supervisory and management positions.”
He calls 2020 a challenging year with the COVID-19 pandemic and the amount of violence in the city.
GRPD has launched Operation Safe Neighborhoods in response to gun violence in an effort to build better relationships.
