Sterling Heights City Council voted on Tuesday, April 19 to confirm John Berg as the City’s new Police Chief. Berg has been serving the role of Interim Chief since the department’s former Police Chief, Michael Reese, retired in December 2015.
Berg has had a distinguished 27-year career with the Sterling Heights Police Department. Having commenced his law enforcement career as a police officer in 1989, he progressed quickly through the ranks to become a Sergeant in 1995, Lieutenant in 2000, and Captain in 2009.
Berg holds a bachelor’s degree from Wayne State University in Interdisciplinary Studies. He has completed training at the FBI Academy and the Eastern Michigan University School of Police Staff and Command. Berg’s department recognition awards include: 2 Chief’s Awards, 3 Unit Merit Citations, 1 Merit Citation, 7 Letters of Commendation, and 7 Performance Ribbons. He has also received community awards from the Thin Blue Line of Michigan and Warren Consolidated School District.
“John Berg has a wealth of command and leadership experience in all divisions and bureaus of the department, including administration, operations and investigations,” City Manager Mark Vanderpool said. “He displays the traits that are essential to preserving the excellent level of service that is the hallmark of the Sterling Heights Police Department."
Vanderpool further commended Berg’s ability to provide a stabilizing force to a department undergoing an unprecedented amount of turnover generated by retirements and new hires.
“John Berg’s management experience in every facet of departmental operations is crucial to an organization whose management structure will be largely comprised of newly-promoted command officers by 2017,” Vanderpool said. “Berg has also integrated himself into the City’s leadership team, which is very important due to the interdependence of City’s departments in ensuring the delivery of quality public services.”
“On behalf of my City Council colleagues, I am pleased to have John Berg lead one of the largest Police Departments in the State and continue Sterling Heights’ safe city distinction. When it comes to public safety our residents and businesses expect the best and I am confident John Berg will provide the necessary leadership to continue this longstanding tradition of excellence,” stated Mayor, Michael C. Taylor.