Columbia Charter Township welcomes two officers wo are filling vacant positions to the police department – Brandon Berkeypile and Bret Taylor. Both are Michiganders. Officer Berkeypile is a Jackson County native, and Officer Taylor, from Lenawee County.
Officer Bret Taylor with Chief Jay NIles with the Township Board
Chief Jay Niles says, “we are fortunate to have these outstanding candidates join the department.” Both have attended police academies and are military veterans. “They meet the high standards that the community expects.”
Chief Niles and Officer Brandon Berkeypile
Both have completed their field training. Officer Berkeypile attended Oakland Community College Police Academy and was offered the Columbia Township position as his police academy training was beginning. Officer Taylor received his training from Washtenaw Community College Police Academy. Through a State of Michigan grant, Officer Taylor’s cost of schooling and wages were covered while attending the police academy. He brings with him experience as a paramedic as well. Both received Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards certification (MCOLES).
Chief Niles comments that their training encompassed the most up to date methods and practices. “Standards are high. Both officers are highly intelligent, have appropriate life experiences, and have displayed proper ethical judgment.”
Anyone who has needed police value the protection they offer. Their presence acts as a deterrence and remedy when it comes to criminal activity, traffic infractions, and accidents. Those who may think the need is low may want to consider reviewing the countless stories on this website and the many smaller events that don’t find their way into print. The Chief points out “our officers have to be able to do it all – starting with the immediate investigation to the required follow-up. They must be able to know how to deal with the problem at hand, how to investigate, how to write a report that can be the basis for further legal action, be able to take a suspect to jail, and testify in court.” Chief Niles adds “a local police department has the advantage of knowing who the potential suspects are and what’s happening under the radar. These new officers will soon be up to speed with the more seasoned members of the department.”
The Columbia Charter Township Police department is still short one police officer. The Chief notes “the environment has changed in the law enforcement world. At the beginning of my career, I applied for a position with other police agencies. One agency in particular had over three hundred applicants take the civil service exam for less than ten positions. Now it’s the other way around. Instead of three hundred for one job, it’s three job openings for every candidate. We’re not alone in the challenge of finding good people. Look at the MCOLES website and you will find numerous police agencies, small and large, looking for applicants. The Township is fortunate to have two new officers of such high quality.”
If police work is so essentially to a functioning society, why is recruiting officers an uphill challenge? The Chief responds “certainly the COVID pandemic did not help. Scarcity of people who did not possess the drive and/or desire to pursue a career in law enforcement, or for that matter public sector positions to include the fire service, have changed the dynamics and numbers of the applicants. This recruiting efforts have been a struggle for agencies across the nation.”
