Lt. Amy Walker to be Ypsilanti's next police chief

Posted: Dec 23, 2009 at 3:38 PM [Dec 23, 2009]

Ypsilanti Police Lt. Amy Walker has been appointed as the department’s new chief.

City Manager Ed Koryzno made the announcement Wednesday afternoon, citing her experience and community involvement as a primary factor in the selection.

“She has risen through the ranks in the department and taken on ever-increasing responsibility,” Koryzno said.

Walker’s former position will not be filled. Interim Police Chief Paul DeRidder will return to his previous post as lieutenant, leaving only two lieutenants as the city considers $1.1 million in law enforcement cuts.

Koryzno said negotiations over Walker’s salary will begin in early January. He declined to speculate on what she will earn, but said the tight budget will influence the discussion.

“Obviously the budget impacts everything, so that will be one of the considerations,” he said.

Walker could not be reached for comment Wednesday. She started her career with the Eastern Michigan University Department of Public Safety in 1987 and was hired by the Ypsilanti Police Department in 1992.

She received a promotion to lieutenant in 2007, and has been extensively involved with community police and neighborhood watch groups.

Koryzno made the final decision between Walker and Lt. Craig Annas, who he called a quality candidate.

“Both were qualified and both brought strengths, but I chose her because I think she was a better fit,” Koryzno said.

The field was whittled down from six candidates, all of who were interviewed by police and citizen advisory committees.

Her appointment is effective Jan. 4.

The city has been without a police chief since the end of May, when former chief Matt Harshberger retired to become Pittsfield Township's public safety director.