27-year veteran Northville police officer retires

 Northville Police Department Capt. Greg Hannewald was honored for his 27 years of public safety service with a retirement celebration at city hall this month. Hannewald’s family, staff and members of the city council along with police colleagues, active and retired attended the event honoring Hannewald. Mayor Brian Turnbull read a resolution that proclaimed May 15, 2024 as Capt. Greg Hannewald Day in the city of Northville.Hannewald spent his entire career at the Northville Police Department. He started as a part-time officer in 1996, became full-time 15 months later, and advanced steadily – from detective in March 2006 to sergeant four months later, to captain in July 2020. One of the advantages he had as a young officer was name recognition – his father, Norm, was a 7th grade life science teacher in the Northville Public School District and many students and parents extended the favorable connection from father to son, officials noted.Hannewald said building relationships with residents, business owners and his brothers (and sisters) in blue meant the most to him. On a rough day, when he had to deliver news of a death to relatives, he did so with compassion while also deeply feeling the loss. On the best of days, when he had saved a life, he said he felt a deep sense of fulfillment in his chosen career. When the downtown was part of his patrol duties, Hannewald said he got to know the shop owners and people who worked there and made his visibility a priority. The Business Watch program set up by the department strengthens that bond, he said and a new camera set up downtown adds a downtown safety measure. Education provided Hannewald with the right skill set for the job, he said. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Ferris State University in 1996. He is a 2017 graduate of the 33rd session of the School of Police Staff and Command sponsored through Eastern Michigan University. He has attended the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police New Chief and Executive School, as well as the Michigan Police Executive Development seminar hosted by the Detroit Office of the FBI. Hannewald recalled that when he started at the Northville department, there were no in-car video cameras and DNA evidence was just beginning. Adding those components has vastly improved police procedures by aiding in arrests and obtaining justice for victims, he said. The use of body-worn cameras has been another positive aspect. “Body cams have been beneficial in a lot of ways,” he said. “They are used for evidence collection and also help reduce liability for police officers because it shows what the facts are.  “As a whole, technology has served to improve policing,” Hannewald said. “It’s given us more tools to solve crimes and provide top-notch policing to the community.” While on patrols in the early days, he said he liked taking a case from start to finish. That involved investigative work, crime scene evidence collection, interviews, and even going to court when needed. Past assignments included being a field training program officer and program supervisor, an evidence technician, a member of the serious/fatal Accident Investigation team and an instructor in defensive tactics. Throughout his career, Hannewald was active in both the Northville Police Officer Association, holding leadership positions, and the Northville Command Officer Association, serving as president of both groups. He has served on both sides of the table on bargaining teams and has successfully negotiated several labor agreements. For the past four years, he has been an administrator, managing day-to-day operations of the department. He has found it “most gratifying to be able to watch this department grow and advance professionally.” “He will be missed,” said Police Chief Alan Maciag. “Captain Hannewald is a hard worker who has dedicated the past 27 years to citizens of Northville. He has had many accomplishments and successes throughout his career,” Maciag said. “His dedication, professionalism and integrity have helped shape the department into what is it today. I am proud to have worked with Captain Hannewald for the past few years and wish him the best.”  Hannewald said his plans for retirement include finding another job when the time and opportunity are right. He also He also plans to travel and resume deer hunting in the fall. For the summer, he wants to spend more quality time with his two teen daughters and wife, Rochelle. Hannewald was active in both the Northville Police Officer Association, holding leadership positions, and the Northville Command Officer Association, serving as president of both groups. He has served on both sides of the table on bargaining teams and has successfully negotiated several labor agreements. For the past four years, he has been an administrator, managing day-to-day operations of the department. He has found it “most gratifying to be able to watch this department grow and advance professionally.” “He will be missed,” said Police Chief Alan Maciag. “Captain Hannewald is a hard worker who has dedicated the past 27 years to citizens of Northville. He has had many accomplishments and successes throughout his career,” Maciag said. “His dedication, professionalism and integrity have helped shape the department into what is it today. I am proud to have worked with Captain Hannewald for the past few years and wish him the best.”  
Hannewald said his plans for retirement include finding another job when the time and opportunity are right. He also plans to travel and resume deer hunting in the fall. For the summer, he wants to spend more quality time with his two teen daughters and wife, Rochelle.