WARREN, Mich. – After a months-long search, the city of Warren announced it has hired a new police commissioner.
Eric Hawkins announced he’s accepted the role and will serve as police commissioner for Warren, the third-largest city in Michigan.
Hawkins is currently the police chief in Albany, New York. He was sworn in for that department in September 2018. Hawkins oversaw several community-oriented programs and initiatives during his tenure.
He said he prioritizes strengthening police-community relations, recruitment, retention, and employee health and wellness.
In his new role as Warren police commissioner, Hawkins returns home to Metro Detroit. He began his career at the Southfield Police Department in 1990 and became Southfield’s police chief in October 2012.
“Born and raised in Southeast Michigan,” Hawkins said. “Spent almost 30 years of my law enforcement career in the Southfield Police Department, so I know a lot about Southeastern Michigan, and Warren has a stellar reputation in the region. I’m excited to get there and excited to serve.”
Hawkins retired from the Southfield Police Department in 2018. According to his biography, he helped oversee dramatic decreases in crime while creating citizen and youth police academies for that municipality.
Warren officials said Hawkins is the first African American to serve as police commissioner.
Hawkins earned a Juris Doctorate from Western Michigan University’s Cooley Law School, a Master of Science in Administration from Central Michigan University, a Bachelor of Science in Public Administration from Central Michigan University, and an Associate’s in Business Administration from Oakland Community College.
He replaces William Dwyer, who separated his duties with the city in March. Dwyer was the city’s police commissioner for nearly nine years.
Hawkins said he will begin his new role in December.
You can watch Demond’s interview with Hawkins here: