By Jennifer Gomori, POJ Editor

Law Enforcement Regional Training Academy (LERTA) graduate Stephen Rynbrandt maintained his position as Assistant Chief of Clio Area Fire Department throughout his time in the police academy.

Photos courtesy of LERTA LERTA graduate Stephen Rynbrandt received the Collin Birnie Award at graduation May 1, 2025.

Rynbrandt is thankful for the Collin Birnie Scholarship Award he received during the Mott Community College police academy graduation May 1, 2025. He completed the academy with a 95.1 GPA and was selected from among three pre-service cadets for the Collin Birnie Award in the 26th Academy Session with a graduating class of 25 cadets.

“Whoever gets the highest GPA is how they are picked,” said LERTA Director Lt. Eric Rodgers.

The $500 Collin Birnie Scholarship Award, which is sponsored by the POLC, is named in honor of the fallen POLC Executive Committee member. It’s given twice yearly at the discretion of the police academy to graduates who have not been sponsored by any police agency. Qualifying cadets must pass the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES) certification test and meet MCOLES employment standards to become certified Michigan Law Enforcement Officers.

“I remember when Captain Birnie’s accident occurred and the impact it had not only on Flint Police Department, but the public safety departments in all of Genesee County and the rest of Michigan,” Rynbrandt said. “It was an absolute tragedy. I’m beyond honored to receive the award — to receive the recognition. My goal is to carry on his legacy forward and have as successful a career as Captain Birnie did.”

The 48-year-old has served just shy of 30 years with Clio Area Fire Department, beginning his career as a firefighter in 1996. “I’m the third-generation firefighter in my family, but first in law enforcement,” he said.

His father, James Rynbrandt, was Captain of the Clio Area Fire Department and his grandfather, Alyn Rynbrandt, was Chief of the Jamestown (MI) Fire Department. His daughter, Penelope Rynbrandt is the family’s fourth-generation firefighter. The 20-year-old has been a Clio Area Firefighter for the past 2 years and was in the department’s Fire & EMS Career Exploring program as a youth. 

“Over 29 years, I worked with friends in law enforcement,” Rynbrandt said. “It’s always been a goal of mine to serve in law enforcement.”

In June, he was sworn in as a Police Officer at City of Clio Police Department, a POLC-represented agency.

“I am going to be able to serve the residents and business owners that I’ve been serving for 29 years in a little bit different capacity. I’m going to attempt to continue to do my Assistant Chief job here. We will see exactly how things go. I don’t mind doing a bunch of hard work and being busy, so, that part, I’m excited about.”

While the majority of cadets find it nearly impossible to work during the academy, Rynbrandt is used to wearing multiple hats. He began his Criminal Justice degree program in 2021 while working part-time as Assistant Fire Chief and helping his wife, Michelle, run their company — Intelligent AV. 

“We design and program audio visual systems for boardrooms, conference rooms and other presentation spaces for corporate, education and government customers,” he said.

He completed his associate’s degree in Criminal Justice at Mott Community College when he graduated from the academy, which provided him with the last 16 credit hours needed for his degree. “It took me about 3 years this whole process to get it completed,” he said, adding his education was interrupted when he and Michelle took several months off for a boating vacation in 2021. “I was hoping to be in the previous academy, but I had some physical injuries that didn’t allow that to happen. Some great, lifelong friends were made (at LERTA) and it seemed like the right fit for me in the end.”

LERTA was an intense, but great experience, which Rynbrandt said he thoroughly enjoyed.

“Some days were definitely harder than others, but overall, I really enjoyed my time at LERTA,” he said. “I don’t think I could have asked for better classmates. Everybody was so supportive. I’ve been to a lot of in-service training, but I was beyond satisfied with the quality of their instruction, the knowledge of the instructors and the support the staff gave us. I thought we were well-prepared for state licensing. On the first attempt, our whole entire class passed the exit physical fitness test and I think that’s a testament to the academy.”