George Phifer of Pontiac has been named the chief of police for Huron-Clinton Metroparks, including Indian Springs Metropark in Independence Township.
His appointment was made following the retirement of Metroparks Police Chief Howard C. Chanter.
Phifer worked for nearly 20 years at the Pontiac Police Department, beginning as a police cadet and progressing through the ranks as a youth officer, detective, sergeant, detective sergeant, lieutenant and captain-division commander. He retired from the Department as a police captain in 2004. He has since worked as the chief of security for the Pontiac School District and the director of security and safety for Parkview Health Hospital in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Phifer received a bachelor’s degree in business leadership from Baker College and an associate degree in criminal justice from Oakland Community College. He is also a graduate from Eastern Michigan University Police School of Staff and Command.
Phifer is a member of the International Association Chief of Police, International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Agencies, International Association of Healthcare Safety and Security and the American Society for Industrial Security.
Phifer filled the post vacated by Chanter in August, who retired with more than 27 years of service with the Metroparks. Chanter was named chief of police following the consolidation of the law enforcement departments from individual parks to one central administration in 2004.
The department has a staff of 44 full-time officers, 24 year-round, part-time officers and 30 civilian season personnel.