DEARBORN — Dearborn Mayor Jack O’Reilly, Jr. on Tuesday announced the selection of a new police chief, Ronald Haddad, who is a retired deputy chief of the Detroit Police Department and a law enforcement professional of 34 years.

Newly appointed Dearborn Police Chief Ronald Haddad TAAN file photo

O’Reilly cited Haddad’s extensive career both on the front lines and in police administration, his outstanding leadership experience and his far-reaching community involvement as reasons he was the top candidate after a thorough selection process.
“Everyone we talked with had nothing but praise for Chief Haddad,” said O’Reilly. “He really was the outstanding candidate and I’m confident he will be a tremendous asset to the dedicated officers of our police department.

“He has well-thought out ideas, and also is a good listener. He knows the department has many strengths, and he will bring people together to create goals that everyone can buy into as the department moves forward.”

Haddad began his career with the Detroit Police Department in 1973 and retired in January 2007 as deputy chief of the northwestern district.

During his career, he also had been deputy chief of the eastern operations bureau in charge of seven precincts, and deputy chief in charge of homeland security.

Among his many other responsibilities, he had commanded the 11th precinct and held executive lieutenant positions.

He has been honored for his role in the success of security at special events, including the Super Bowl in 2006 and the Baseball All-Star Game in 2005.

O’Reilly said he has strong background in budgeting and administrative details, as well as a talent for inspiring organizational excellence. Haddad graduated from Salesian High School in Detroit. He holds Associate’s and Bachelor’s degrees in law enforcement from the University of Detroit-Mercy and a Master’s degree from Eastern Michigan University.

He also graduated from the School of Police Staff and Command from Northwestern University and earned an extensive list of other educational, specialized training and professional development certifications.

After retiring from the Detroit department, he took a leadership position with Chrysler security.

In a statement about the appointment the Congress of Arab American Organizations, said the new chief’s “vast expertise in law enforcement and knowledge of the diverse communities in Metropolitan Detroit will be of great benefit in the City of Dearborn, home to a diverse populous.”

“We look forward to Haddad’s distinguished leadership and dynamic vision that we are sure will bring about wonderful changes in our flourishing community. As we have worked together in the past, while Haddad was with the City of Detroit, we look forward to continuing a fruitful relationship while in Dearborn,” the statement said.

In his career, he had received 170 letters of commendation from citizens, corporate and civic leaders and chiefs of police for outstanding service to the department and the community. He has two pages of community service awards and has been an active participant in more than two dozen community groups.

O’Reilly said he believes Chief Haddad would bring the same level of commitment to the Dearborn community as he has to Detroit, and expressed admiration that he had continued to live in the city in which he served throughout his career.

That kind of commitment to a community is important, because O’Reilly established residency in Dearborn as a condition of employment for the police chief’s position.

The position is an appointed one in Dearborn, and O’Reilly could have selected any candidate of his choosing. Instead, he convened a panel to review applicants and participate with him in the screening and interview process.

The panel comprised Chief of Staff Mark Guido, Human Resources Administrator Valerie Murphy-Goodrich, City Attorney Debra Walling, and former Dearborn police chief Greg Guibord.

The police chief’s position became vacant in July, following the passing of Police Chief Michael Celeski.

The Mayor’s appointment is subject to approval by City Council. It will be about a month before the Chief is formally on the job.