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2008 -2009
President George G. Basar
Chief of Police
Howell Police Department I would like to thank our Executive Director, Tom Hendrickson and our Executive Assistant, Jamie Foster for planning and executing another exceptional summer conference. I would also like to thank the members of the Education and Training Committee for providing our membership with outstanding blocks training during the conference. I would like to thank the members of District 8 who first elected me to the Board of Directors and the Southeast Michigan Chiefs who supported me when I was still with the Ypsilanti Police Department. Additionally, I would also thank the members of District 7 and the Mid-Michigan Chiefs who supported me after my move to Howell. When I began my police career some 35 years ago, I never imagined that it would lead me to the Presidency of what I believe is the premier professional law enforcement organization in the state. I appreciate your confidence and your support as we move forward in the year ahead. The coming year looks as if it will shape up to be exciting, busy and challenging. Our state and our communities will continue to face a myriad of financial challenges caused in part by reduced revenue sharing, declining home values and rising unemployment, and it does not appear that the economy will improve dramatically in the near future. I, and your Board of Directors will continue our efforts in the legislature to push for full restoration of state revenue sharing dollars, full and adequate funding of State Police support services such as crime labs and polygraph examiners and a dedicated source of funding for MCOLES and CJIS. We will continue our discussions with MCOLES, relative the new regular employment standards, as together we look for ways to lessen the impact on our smaller agencies. Finally, this year’s conference saw a two outstanding candidates vying for only one available elected office. Unfortunately the membership could only elect one. As with any contested election, there are highs and there are lows. Also, as with any election, after the ballots are counted and the contest is over, it’s time to rollup our sleeves and get back to work as collectively we move forward, united, and with one voice, to advance the needs and issues facing professional law enforcement in our state. That way we will continue our work to ensure that we can adequately provide for the safety, and to enhance the quality of life for our citizens in every city, township and village across the State of Michigan.
President Basar is the 83rd President of the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police. He was sworn in June 23, 2008.
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