City Manager Washington appoints interim chief of police

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – City Manager Mark Washington announced today that Joseph “Joe” Trigg will serve as interim chief of police for the Grand Rapids Police Department, effective March 2.

Trigg is a 25-year veteran of the department and currently serves as deputy chief of police for field operations. He will step into the role following the departure of Chief Eric Winstrom, who announced his resignation last week to pursue another opportunity.

“Deputy Chief Trigg has demonstrated strong leadership and a deep commitment to public safety, and this community, throughout his career,” Washington said. “His experience and knowledge of our city make him well-suited to lead the department during this transition.”

Born and raised in Muskegon, Trigg earned an associate degree from Grand Rapids Community College and completed course work in criminal justice at Grand Valley State University. He graduated from the Lansing Community College Police Academy and joined GRPD in 2001.

As a patrol officer, Trigg worked primarily in Grand Rapids’ North Neighborhood Service Area and served as a community policing specialist for more than three years. He later led patrol operations in the East and South Neighborhood Service Areas as a sergeant. Trigg was promoted to lieutenant in 2016, where he first served as watch commander before leading the Internal Affairs Unit. He became a captain in 2022 and commanded the South Neighborhood Service Area before being promoted to deputy chief in 2023.

Trigg has also served as a field training officer, a member of the department’s Board of Awards, and an advisor for the Grand Rapids Police Explorer Post 1871. He is a member of the department’s Peer Support Team and the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police.

“I am honored to serve as interim chief and continue working alongside the dedicated men and women of the Grand Rapids Police Department,” Trigg said. “Our focus will remain on ensuring safety for everyone in the community, strengthening relationships and maintaining the highest level of professional policing standards here in Grand Rapids.”

The City will soon begin a national search for a permanent chief of police. Washington said it will be a comprehensive and competitive process that will involve partnering with a professional search firm, creating meaningful opportunities for input from both the public and law enforcement, and evaluating qualified candidates from within the organization as well as across the country.