Grand Rapids Welcomes New Police Chief with Focus on Community Engagement
The Grand Rapids Police Department (GRPD) is set for a transformation as Joe Trigg steps into the role of full-time police chief. With over 25 years of service within the department, Trigg aims to enhance community relations, leveraging his extensive experience and local ties.
Officially announced as the GRPD chief on Monday, Trigg addressed the public for the first time on Tuesday. Having acted as interim chief since March, he emphasized his commitment to fostering community connectivity. “I want to be that person at our department that can take our community engagement to the next level,” Trigg expressed, highlighting his career-long dedication to this cause.
Following a comprehensive search and a public forum with four candidates, city manager Mark Washington selected Trigg, the sole internal candidate. Washington emphasized the importance of having a chief who embraces transparency and community interaction. “I expect every person that’s hired into the Grand Rapids police department to compete for whatever level of position that they receive,” he stated.
Trigg succeeds Eric Winstrom, who left the position to become the chief of police in Pensacola, Florida. Winstrom had previously criticized the political environment in Grand Rapids, citing it as a factor in his decision to leave. “Politicians that maybe are out for themselves to score cheap political points will use policing to score cheap political points. Have I seen that here? Absolutely,” Winstrom remarked during a press conference announcing his departure.
While acknowledging past challenges, Trigg conveyed a different perspective. “I know sometimes there’s a different narrative out there, but someone that reviews body camera and sees the incident of 300 calls a day coming in to our city, our men and women are appreciated,” he noted, adding that there is always room for improvement.
The GRPD has faced scrutiny under various chiefs, particularly following the controversial shooting of Patrick Lyoya by officer Christopher Schurr. This incident spurred community protests and led to murder charges against Schurr. Although the jury deadlocked and prosecutors chose not to retry the case, the department’s practices remain under scrutiny.
In 2022, the Michigan Department of Civil Rights charged the GRPD with racial discrimination, and the Michigan Supreme Court ruled that some procedures violated constitutional rights. Trigg, however, remains optimistic about improvement and is open to criticism. “Pressure is a privilege, right?” he stated. “It’s a tough job, it’s a lot of criticism, but we’ve got men and women to shoulder it.”
Trigg’s tenure as chief began immediately, with a formal swearing-in ceremony planned for June 29, according to city manager Washington.
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