Sugar Land Police Chief Doug Brinkley and Missouri City Police Chief Mike Berezin both began their careers in law enforcement in 1989 and have since helped lead the expansion of their respective police departments.
Brinkley—who was promoted to Sugar Land police chief in 2009—graduated from the Detroit Police Academy in 1989 and began his career as a patrol officer in Detroit, where he worked for two years. He then moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1991, where he was a member of the Grand Rapids Police Department canine unit and vice squad before being named assistant chief of police for Sugar Land in 2005.
“My greatest joy in law enforcement has been serving people and the ability to make a difference in the community,” Brinkley said.
Berezin began his career in 1989 as a patrol officer for MCPD. Berezin has held a number of positions with MCPD, including field training officer, crime scene investigator, patrol sergeant, patrol lieutenant, captain and assistant chief of police. Berezin was appointed to his role as chief of police in 2014.
“I have learned many things in my almost 27-year career, and I have only scratched the surface of what I expect to learn during the remainder of my career, however long that may be,” he said.
Doug Brinkley, Sugar Land Police Chief[/caption]Doug Brinkley, Sugar Land Police Chief
What projects are the police department working on?
The police department is working on several projects related to the future growth of the city. These projects include planning for the design and construction of a new public safety training facility to meet the training needs of the police and fire department [as well as] completing the initial phase of the Crime Prevention Camera Program, [which includes] installation of license plate recognition cameras throughout the city. The first phase of the project will cover the north side of the city and is scheduled for completion in July 2015. [The department is also developing a] mobile field force training [program to] provide crowd control training for our entire department, traffic and safety plans for the Smart Financial Centre that is under construction in Telfair [and] traffic and safety plans for the new [Brazos River Park] festival site.
How will these projects improve safety in the community?
The projects are designed to meet the needs of a growing community and police department. With the increased entertainment and special events-related venues in construction, the police department is focused on providing the needed training and equipment for our officers to provide a safe environment for our citizens to work and live [in].
What are some challenges facing the police department?
The growth of the city is one of our biggest challenges. With the impending annexation of the Greatwood and New Territory [communities], we are currently developing plans to meet the policing needs of an additional 25,000 residents.
How has the police department changed during your time with the force?
The police department utilizes much more technology now than we did previously. Police reports and traffic citations are [now] completed electronically. [An] officer’s use of less lethal force options, such as Tasers, [is] becoming the expected norm. We continuously look for nontraditional ways to combat crime issues through public education, neighborhood watch programs and the use of social media as an information and investigative tool.
What is your proudest moment as police chief?
One of my proudest moments is the day I was appointed chief of police. When I began my career in 1989, I never thought about the possibility of leading a police agency. My only regret is that both of my parents passed away prior to my appointment and didn’t get a chance to share that moment with me.
Mike Berezin, Missouri City Police Chief[/caption]Mike Berezin, Missouri City Police Chief
What projects are the police department working on?
Like many police agencies, we are examining a body-worn camera program. This will likely be one of the largest projects we have seen in many years just based on the cost associated with a program such as this one. We are actively pursuing grant opportunities to find funding to get a body-worn camera program going as soon as possible. We have [also] been in discussion with our Parks and Recreation Department about establishing a police athletic league. I would really like to build on that project to [include] other sports so the police officers would have opportunities to interact positively with our youngest citizens and their families.
How will these projects improve safety in the community?
Both projects foster the positive social contract a policing organization must have with the community it serves. A strong positive social contract between a policing organization and the community it serves is vital to the reduction of crime in an area.
What are some challenges facing the police department?
Maintaining the trust of the community is challenging for every police organization right now, and MCPD is no different than any other police organization with this challenge. Numerous highly publicized events in the nation have portrayed law enforcement in a negative light. The negative portrayal of law enforcement personnel has impacted our communities’ view of law enforcement, even at the local level. Another challenge is the struggle of attracting and retaining quality police personnel, not just in our sworn ranks, but also in our nonsworn personnel.
How has the police department changed during your time with the force?
Organizationally we are much different. There were no female police officers working for the police department and almost no racial diversity existed in the police ranks [in 1989]. We are now one of the most diverse police agencies in the region.
What is your proudest moment as police chief?
I do not have a single most proudest moment as police chief. When any member of the police department demonstrates their dedication to serving their fellow citizens through actions or deeds, I am extremely proud of serving alongside them.
