Command Staff

Captain Yonker graduated from Muskegon Community College in 1984 with an Associate of Arts Degree, Majoring in Criminal Justice. After his graduation from Muskegon Community College, he attended the seventeen-week police academy at Grand Valley State University. He began his law enforcement career with the Spring Lake Police Department as a part-time police officer in December of 1984.

Captain Yonker was hired by the City of Grand Haven in February of 1987 as a full-time police officer. In 1988, he was the first recipient of the Grand Haven Police Department Officer of the Year Award.

In 1993, the City of Grand Haven implemented the Public Safety Department to incorporate police and fire services; it was then that Captain Yonker obtained certifications as Fire Fighter I and II, as well as Medical First Responder. Additionally, Captain Yonker was part of the Field Training Cadre, training many of the current firefighters in a second career as their positions would grow to include that of police officer services. During this time, he also became one of the first Defensive Tactics Instructors trained in the new curriculum called Pressure Point Control Tactics (PPCT), which is a less lethal form of officer defensive still utilized today.

In December of 1994, Captain Yonker served as a Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) Instructor through 1997. Not long after his certification as a DARE Officer, he became a DARE Mentor, training new DARE Officers throughout the State, and is still currently certified as a Mentor. During this time he was also selected as Grand Haven’s first Community Policing Officer, establishing communication in his assigned district to promote healthy and productive families, as well as a more successful relationship between the community and public safety officers.

Captain Yonker was promoted to Administrative Sergeant in March of 1997, whose responsibilities included the supervision of the Records Section, among other administrative duties. In November, 1998, he was promoted to Public Safety Sergeant-Administrative Assistant with duties that included short and long range planning, Internal Affairs investigations, representing the Director at various meetings and functions, and budget preparation and monitoring.

In August, 1999, Captain Yonker was promoted to 2^nd Lieutenant-Administrative Assistant to the Director which included serving as the Administrative Services Division Commander. In addition, he also supervised the DARE program and over saw other administrative duties. He was promoted to Lieutenant in December of 2000.

On August 23, 2004, Captain Yonker was promoted to his current position as Commander. He now supervises the Operations and Administrative Services Divisions and is responsible for assisting with the development and monitoring of the Department’s Annual Capital Improvement and General Fund yearly budgets. Captain Yonker is currently serving as the Acting Director of Public Safety, and is also the Emergency Management Liaison for the City of Grand Haven. He also successfully completed the Eastern Michigan University's School of Police Staff and Command.

Lieutenant Freeman was hired as a police officer for the City of Grand Haven in 1987. After serving as a road patrol officer for two years, she was appointed to the West Michigan Enforcement Team (WEMET). From 1989-1991, she served as an investigator in an undercover capacity enforcing narcotic laws. After completing the two year assignment, Freeman returned to GHDPS road patrol duties.

In 1993, the City of Grand Haven consolidated police and fire services at which time Freeman cross-trained as a firefighter and became a Public Safety Officer III. Approximately one year later, Freeman accepted a position as the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) and school liaison officer, and remained in that position until 1997. Two years after returning to road patrol, Freeman was promoted to the rank of PSO Sergeant, serving as a night shift supervisor.

In 2004, Freeman was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. As a Lieutenant, she has served in both capacities, overseeing the Administrative Division, as well as the Operations Division. Currently, she is assigned as the Operations Division Lieutenant and supervises patrol operations, fire operations and investigative services.

In addition to her employment with the Grand Haven Department of Public Safety, Lt. Freeman also served as an adjunct professor and Assistance Director for Grand Valley State University’s Police Academy from 1990-2005. Lt. Freeman possesses a Bachelor of Science degree with an emphasis in Criminal Justice, earned from Grand Valley State University. She has successfully completed Eastern Michigan University’s School of Police Staff and Command, as well as, the Executive Management Program offered by Northwestern University.

Lt. Freeman is dedicated to serving the City of Grand Haven, residents and visitors alike. She has a passion for public service, working with the community, and constantly strives to ensure public safety services are delivered in a professional, safe, and efficient manner.

Lieutenant Boyle graduated from Grand Valley State University in 1992 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice. He was employed by the City of Grand Haven in 1995 as a part-time seasonal foot-patrol officer. He was retained by the Grand Haven Department of Public Safety in 1995 as a part-time road patrol officer. In 1996, Lieutenant Boyle became a certified Fire Fighter in the State of Michigan, attaining Fire Fighter I and II certifications. Additionally, he became licensed as a Medical First Responder.

In February of 1997, Lieutenant Boyle was promoted to a full-time Public Safety Officer with the department. He went on to become a Field Training Officer, Defensive Tactics Instructor, Standardized Field Sobriety Testing Instructor, and Evidence Technician.

In January of 2002, Lieutenant Boyle was selected as a detective assigned to the narcotics division with the West Michigan Enforcement Team (WEMET). He held this position until his promotion to road patrol Sergeant in September of 2004.

As a road patrol Sergeant, Lieutenant Boyle was assigned to both the night and day Shift Operations Supervisor. During this time, he continued to purse his knowledge base in the fire services by obtaining certifications as a Fire Officer I and II. He is also certified in Hazardous Material Operations and Awareness.

In 2007, Lieutenant Boyle furthered his education and career by attending and graduating from the Police Staff and Command leadership program through Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.

In July of 2008, Lieutenant Boyle was reassigned from his responsibilities as a road patrol supervisor to assist the Detective Bureau with the double homicide investigation at RK Jewelers. This investigation led to the arrests and first-degree murder convictions for two suspects. They are both currently serving life in prison without the possibility of parole.

In November of 2008, Lieutenant Boyle was promoted to the position he now holds. He is currently assigned as the Administrative Services Division Commander. His job responsibilities include supervision over the Training Bureau, the Records Division, DARE/School Resource Officer, the Reserve Unit, Paid-On-Call fire fighters, the Retired Senior Volunteer Patrol (RSVP) Program and the Cadet Program.

In 2009, Lieutenant Boyle attended Northwestern University’s Executive Management Program where he continued to further his education and training.