The Clarkston Police Department has a Swat now ? an officer John Swatowski, that is.
Swatowski spent 35 years with the Detroit Police Department before retiring last February. He joined the Clarkston P.D. earlier this month after coming out of retirement.
‘I got bored sitting at home. You can’t sit at home for four months and not get bored,? said Swatowski, who is happy to be back in law enforcement. ‘The guys that work here are nice and friendly. The people are friendly and you don’t realize it until you’re out here.?
During his time at Detroit, which began in 1971, Swatowski worked as a patrolmen, on the Tactical Services Section, on a canine unit and as a sergeant.
‘The thing I miss about Detroit is not so much what went on there, but the people I worked for and with ? That camaraderie of the people. When you have good people working for you, you miss them,? said Swatowski.
That camaraderie is reflected in two monikers given to Swatowski over the years by fellow officers. In and around Detroit they simply called him ‘Swat.? Near Warren, where his son also works in law enforcement, he’s called ‘Papa Swat.?
Residing in Warren, Swatowski does have a daily reminder of earlier career days on the canine unit. He lives with Jake, a yellow lab which he served three years with on the canine unit.
‘If you’re working with a bomb dog you want to know he’s doing his job,? said Swatowski. ‘You have to have a relationship with the dog. You build a camaraderie with your dog ? a closeness, so he knows what you’re doing and you know what he’s doing.?
Prior to joining the Detroit Police Department, Swatowski served in the Navy for nearly four years. During his time he served as a Bosun’s Mate (BM3) on two different ships. As a BM3, Swatowski took care of and maintained the outside of the ship.
After leaving the Navy in 1971, he joined the Detroit Police Department because he had many friends already employed there.
Swatowski replaced officer Scott Moran who was called back to the Detroit Police Department after a layoff.