TenBrink takes over as chief.

Shelby Police Chief Terry TenBrink

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor.

SHELBY — Less than a month after firing police chief Bob Wilson, the Shelby Village Council voted 6-1 to hire police officer Terry TenBrink as the new chief.

TenBrink, who started working at the Shelby Police Department over 40 years ago, was named the interim chief last December when Wilson was suspended amidst a criminal investigation regarding fraudulent salvage vehicle inspections.

TenBrink, 64, said he plans to make improvements at the department now that he is the chief. “Now I am in position to do the things I’ve wanted to do,” he said. “I have a lot of hopes and dreams.”

TenBrink said he plans to proactively address the growing problem of juvenile offenders. He plans to work more closely with the school system, the prosecutor’s office and other local police agencies to “curb juvenile problems.”

The new chief said his department receives at least two juvenile complaints per week.

TenBrink also plans to have a “town meeting,” so he can introduce himself and his staff of eight part-time officers to the community. He is the only full-time officer for the department.

TenBrink began working at the Shelby department in 1974. He has also worked for Oceana County Animal Control and the Ferrysburg Police Department. He has worked at the SPD continuously since 1979.

“I am very excited to see Terry TenBrink in this role as chief,” said Village Administrator Chelsea Stratil. “He has a lot of great ideas to improve the Shelby Police Department.”

Councilwoman Sharita Prowant cast the lone “no” vote on the motion to hire TenBrink. He was hired at a pay rate of $23.88 per hour.