Chief of Police

CHIEF ROBERT J. SHELIDE

Robert J. Shelide is in his 40th year of law enforcement and his 12th year as Chief of Police for the Charter Township of Shelby. He began his career with the Detroit Police Department in 1987, serving at the 7th Precinct until 1994. During his tenure, Officer Shelide made more than 550 felony arrests, received a departmental citation for valiant service in the line of duty, earned six additional citations and over 40 commendations, and was named 7th Precinct Patrol Officer of the Month for April 1990.

In 1994, he joined the Southfield Police Department, where he further developed his leadership skills and gained extensive experience in crime prevention and community policing under the guidance of exceptional mentors. These foundational experiences prepared him for executive leadership.

Chief Shelide was appointed Chief of Police for the Charter Township of Shelby on January 12, 2015. Under his leadership, the department has maintained an unwavering commitment to professionalism, cutting-edge training, and modern equipment. He has emphasized both operational readiness for high-risk situations and exceptional customer service to residents and businesses. Since taking command, Chief Shelide has personally overseen the department’s $25 million budget and has delivered it under budget every year.

His leadership has been widely recognized by his peers. In 2018, he was elected President of the Southeast Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police and has been on the executive board since. In 2019, the Police Officers Association of Michigan named him Administrator of the Year. He has served continuously on the Executive Board of that organization for ten years. In December 2018, he was honored as the keynote speaker for Macomb Police Academy Graduating Class #104.

Chief Shelide holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Community Development with a concentration in Public Administration from Central Michigan University and a Graduate Certificate in Criminal Justice from the University of Virginia. He is also a graduate of the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command (Session #285) and the FBI National Academy (Session #253) in Quantico, Virginia.

CHIEF'S MESSAGE

Dear Shelby Township Community,

I have had the great honor and privilege of serving as your Chief of Police since January 2015, and as I begin my 40th consecutive year in law enforcement this coming January, I remain as committed as ever to the safety and well-being of every resident, family, and business in our township.

From day one, our unwavering mission has been to keep Shelby Township the safest municipality of its size in the state of Michigan, and the numbers continue to prove we are succeeding. We achieve this through relentless focus, innovative tools, and the finest officers you will find anywhere.

We have invested heavily in cutting-edge technology that works around the clock to protect you. Fifty strategically placed Flock safety cameras now serve as silent sentinels at our borders and key corridors, capturing only license-plate data for one purpose: solving crime and bringing offenders to justice quickly. Every officer wears an Axon body-worn camera, every patrol vehicle is equipped with state-of-the-art in-car video and recording systems, and each member of our team carries advanced weapons platforms that emphasize multiple less-lethal options alongside traditional tools, because de-escalation and precision save lives.

Our training is continuous, relevant, and among the most rigorous in Michigan. We never stop preparing, because you deserve nothing less.

Under my administration we have restructured and reallocated resources to meet the challenges of today. We created the Special Investigations Unit to target major crimes and organized crime, the Traffic Safety Unit to reduce crashes and save lives on our roads, and the Tactical Response Unit to handle critical incidents with skill and restraint. These specialized units, along with our outstanding patrol division, detectives, and support staff, form the backbone of a department built for Shelby Township and no one else.

To every resident, business owner, parent, and child: thank you for your trust, your partnership, and the daily kindness you show our officers. Together we have made Shelby Township not just one of the safest, but one of the best places in America to live, work, and raise a family.

I am humbled to serve you, and I promise we will never rest in that service.

With respect and gratitude,

Robert J. Shelide
Chief of Police
Shelby Township Police Department