Who we are
Task Force members include:
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Residents from each ward
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The Police Chief
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Police staff from all ranks
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Police union representatives
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The City Attorney is the staff liaison for this initiative
21st Century Policing Solutions (21CP) is a nationally renowned law enforcement consulting group. They are the facilitator and resource for the Task Force. Part of 21CP’s role is to identify and provide examples of best practices from across the country. They also assist the Task Force in comparing our police department’s current policies and procedures with best practices.
Get to know your Grand Rapids elected officials
here. We'd like to introduce ourselves, too! Check out our bios below.
Marques Beene
Graduated with a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Michigan in 2006. Following graduation, he served the Grand Rapids Third Ward as a 17th Circuit Juvenile Probation Officer. In 2009, he started his own consulting business, assisting local businesses and non profits in social enterprise development. Marques is currently employed by the State of Michigan as a Civil Rights Investigator.
Janay Brower
Founder of Public Thread – a small batch, cut and sew manufacturing social enterprise in Grand Rapids. Public Thread works with designers, small businesses and inventors to make their products and grow their business in the apparel, accessories and sewn product industries. They also make their own line of products using upcycled and reclaimed textiles and aim to help other businesses be sustainable in how their products are made.
Sonja Forte
Born and raised in Flint and then moved to the Grand Rapids area to attend Grand Valley State University, where she received a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Tourism Management. She is Director of Community Engagement and Marketplace Programming. She also is the President of the Grand Rapids Urban League Young Professionals and a member of the Grand Rapids Civic Theater Board and Kids’ Food Basket Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee.
Ed Kettle
Began his career in advertising, promotion and public relations handling retail, food service and industrial clients. He also worked in entertainment management, marketing and production, which led him to event production and product introduction support. Ed then began working as public and governmental affairs counsel, which included political campaign management and communications. Ed served as Legislative Chief of Staff in the Michigan House but is now retired. He still offers advice and counsel to a small group of clients.
Maria Moreno-Reyes
Has lived in the First Ward’s Roosevelt Park Neighborhood for 20 years. She has served on the Grand Rapids Public School Advisory Board, the City’s Parks & Recreation Advisory Board and the Home Repair Services Board. She currently is serving as Board member for SECOM, Vice President for Neighborhood Association of Michigan and member of ALPACT. Maria worked as a Crime Prevention and Community Organizer for more than 10 years. She is currently working for the Grand Rapids Urban League.
Huemartin Robinson II
Brings with him many years of experience working with young people in our community. He serves on several boards, including the Kroc Center Advisory Board, Fred and Lena Meijer Scholarship Committee at the Grand Rapids Community Foundation and the Grand Rapids Police Civilian Appeals Board. He has been employed for the past 18 years at 17th Circuit Court where he is currently Assistant Superintendent of the Kent County Juvenile Detention Center. Hue was a member of the Kent County Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategic Planning Committee. Currently, he is a member of the Cultural Insight Council, Kent County Human Trafficking Task Force and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc.
Raynard Ross
Former police officer, schoolteacher, juvenile justice professional and college instructor. He has a long history of service to our community in various initiatives related to violence reduction and youth development. Raynard is Vice President of the Grand Rapids Public Schools Board of Education and Associate Dean of Student Success & Retention at Grand Rapids Community College. Raynard holds a Bachelor Degree from Western Michigan University and a Master Degree from Clark-Atlanta University.
Police Chief David Rahinsky
Has 28 years of law enforcement experience. He began his career in his home City of Philadelphia, where he served as a Police Officer. In 1989, he joined the Broward Sheriff’s Office in Ft. Lauderdale, FLA where he served for 18 years. In 2001, he was selected as Chief for the City of Pembroke Park. Chief Rahinsky holds a Master of Science degree in Criminology from Florida State University. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, VA, and the Senior Institute Management for Police. He is committed to strengthening community relationships while focusing on making Grand Rapids one of the safest cities of its size in the nation.
Deputy Police Chief Eric Payne
Chief of Operations. He has been a member of GRPD since 1987 and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Grand Valley State University. He has held the roles of Watch Commander and Administrative Lieutenant. He has overseen the Detective Unit, Vice Unit and Forensic Services Team. He assumed the role of Deputy Chief in September 2017. He is a graduate of the department’s Leadership Institute and the Central Michigan Law Enforcement Executive Leadership Institute.
Captain Michael Maycroft
Has been in law enforcement for 23 years. He currently is the commander of the North Service Area, Crime Prevention and Honor Guard. He is also a Bomb Technician on the Bomb Squad. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice-Public Safety from Lake Superior State University and a Master of Science Degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Ferris State University.
Lieutenant John Bylsma
Has more than 26 years of law enforcement experience and has been with the Grand Rapids Police Department for 21 years. Lieutenant Bylsma assumed command of the Training Unit in October 2017, having previously served as the Commander of the Special Response Team.
Sgt. Jana Forner
Has worked at the Grand Rapids Police Department for 17 years, serving in various capacities. These positions include patrol officer, community police officer, detective, background investigator, property and fleet manager. Sgt. Forner currently serves as a Supervisor of the Detective Unit’s General Case Team. She is involved with the Department’s Peer Support Team and is the Team Captain for the Police Unity Tour – Team West Michigan.
Officer Dan Adams
Has been in law enforcement for 21 years. He has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from Ferris State and a Master Degree in Communication from Grand Valley. He is currently assigned to the Office of Research & Planning, where he serves as the Department’s Accreditation Manager. During his career, Officer Adams has served as a patrol officer, detective and crisis negotiator, and he is a trainer in several disciplines.
Officer Andrew Bingel
Has been in police work for 26 years, including the past 21 years at GRPD. During his career, he has been assigned to the Special Response Team and third shift patrol. He currently is assigned to the traffic unit as an accident investigator/reconstructionist. Officer Bingel is President of the Grand Rapids Police Officers Association, which represents sergeants and officers.