GRAND HAVEN, Mich. — Five "yes" votes from the Grand Haven City Council gave way to a thunderous applause from the audience on Monday night inside the council chambers. Chief Nichole Hudson was at the center of that applause. The council unanimously voted to approve Hudson as the city's new public safety director, making her the first woman to hold that position.
Hudson has worked for the city for 21 years. City leaders tell us she started out as a parking cadet when she was just 19 years old. She then became an officer and was eventually promoted to sergeant. She most recently served as a lieutenant.
"It's been a great almost 22 years, and I'm excited for what the next chapter brings in the journey. We've got a great city, great employees, and a great department, and this is a true testament. So I just want to say thank you very much for everybody, and I'm excited for the next chapter with all of you, so stay tuned," she said after being sworn in.
According to Grand Valley State University's website, Hudson is a 2006 graduate of GVSU who completed course work in criminal justice and graduated from the GVSU Police Academy.
Chief Hudson takes over for Jeff Hawke, who retired earlier this year after holding the title of public safety director for 12 years.
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