Lansing Police Chief Mike Yankowski is retiring after six years as the city’s top cop.
Yankowski joined the Lansing Police Department in 1994. He served as a road patrol officer and K-9 unit handler before taking on a series of supervisory roles, including a stint with LPD internal affairs. Former Mayor Virg Bernero appointed him as chief in 2013.
As chief, Yankowski bolstered community policing programs, mandated police body cameras and battled a rising opioid crisis. In early June, Yankowski was named as one of three finalists for police chief in Grand Rapids, but later withdrew his name. Yankowski now says he’s retiring to spend more time with his family.
His resignation is effective July 31. Captain Daryl Green will become Lansing’s acting police chief on August 1.