Andrew Satterfield, a captain for Troy Police Department, will be the new police chief in Sterling Heights, the city announced Friday.

Satterfield succeeds former Chief of Police Dale Dwojakowski, who became an assistant city manager for Sterling Heights on Dec. 9, 2024.

“It is an incredible honor to be selected as the next Chief of Police for the city of Sterling Heights,” Satterfield said in a city press release. “I’m committed to continuing the department’s legacy of integrity, service and innovation as well as building on our transparency and community trust through collaboration with our residents, visitors and local businesses.”

The city announced Friday that Sterling Heights City Manager Mark Vanderpool has appointed Satterfield as the new chief of police. His resignation from the Troy Police Department is set for July 11, and he will start with Sterling Heights on July 14, said city spokesperson Marissa Russo. The city isn’t able to accommodate an interview with Satterfield ahead of his official start date, Russo said.

The Sterling Heights Police Department has 161 sworn officers, including 37 command staff and 124 officers. The city said Satterfield’s appointment follows “thorough recruitment and extensive evaluative processes” that produced three candidates.

Sterling Heights noted that Satterfield, 51, is “a highly accomplished law enforcement professional” with a 27-year career in policing, leadership and community service with the Troy Police Department. He progressed through the departmental ranks and worked as a patrol officer, background investigator, sniper, honor guard, evidence technician, detective and command officer.

“Satterfield played a key leadership role in department accreditation, traffic safety improvements, and tactical and emergency response preparedness,” the city said. “He has studied multiculturalism as a tool to enhance recruitment efforts in light of declining interest in the policing profession across the country.”

From 2017 to 2019, Satterfield was a lieutenant for Troy Police Department, leading internal affairs, officer recruitment and training, and facility management. For the past six years, he has held the rank of captain, overseeing operations and support services, including patrol units, emergency dispatch, budgeting and other areas. The city of Sterling Heights said Satterfield played a key role in the Troy Police Department’s 2024 accreditation and implemented “critical initiatives” such as the P25 radio system and a COVID-19-era alternate work schedule.

“Mr. Satterfield comes strongly recommended by municipal and law enforcement leaders from across the region,” Vanderpool, the city manager, said in the news release. “His proven leadership, commitment to public safety, and strong community values make him an outstanding fit for our city. We look forward to his vision and experience guiding our police department into its next chapter of excellence and service.”

All three candidates for the chief of police participated in a daylong assessment conducted by Empco Inc. — a Troy-based company specializing in independent candidate testing services for public entities — and in formal interviews with the city manager, human resources personnel and select city directors, the city said. Satterfield achieved the highest assessment center score of the three candidates.

One of the other candidates was Interim Police Chief Kenneth Pappas.

Satterfield holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Ferris State University, a master’s degree in administration and leadership from Central Michigan University and is a graduate of Northwestern University’s School of Police Staff and Command, according to the city and his LinkedIn page.

Satterfield also served as a volunteer firefighter for 20 years and founded a public safety scholarship endowment. He is also a U.S. Army Reservist veteran with an honorable discharge, the city said.