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Historic swear-in: Eric Payne becomes GRPD's first African-American Chief

Chief Eric Payne, City of Grand Rapids Police Department photo
City of Grand Rapids

  

For the first time in Grand Rapids history, the city’s Police Department is under the leadership of an African-American, as Eric Payne has been officially sworn-in as Chief of Police. It’s the beginning of a new era at the Grand Rapids Police Department as Tuesday marks Eric Payne’s first official day on the job after being sworn in Monday evening.

Serving previously as Deputy Chief, Payne replaces former police Chief David Rahinksy who retired and moved to Florida last December.

Payne, who is black, becomes the City’s first African-American police chief. The hire also comes at a time when the department has faced public scrutiny over the past two and half years for handcuffing African-American youths at gunpoint on multiple occasions. Payne says repairing community and police relations is something the department will be committed to under his watch.

“We need to continue to build trust,” Payne said. “And the only way I know how to do that is by building relationships. I also believe in holding police officers and their actions accountable.”

Payne’s swearing in follows a national search for the next Chief of Police. City Manager Mark Washington said Payne’s 32 years at the Grand Rapids Police Department and his commitment to the community are ultimately the factors that landed him the job.

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