Oakland County Sheriff’s Sgt. Mark Gardner is fighting the battle many new executives face, trying to balance the paperwork with the people work.
‘I like being out there, but I’m kind of stuck behind my desk right now,? Gardner said, although he enjoyed being out in uniform at the recent Happy Birthday, Springfield event. ‘I wanted to go and let people know I really do exist.?
The new commander of the Springfield Township substation took over in mid-May, replacing now-retired Sgt. Frank Schipani. Gardner spend two and a half years with the Oakland Township substation, but is closing in on his 17th anniversary with the sheriff’s department.
His experience includes corrections, road patrol in several Oakland County communities, traffic enforcement and narcotics. He has served on the department’s Special Response Team and is a trained hostage negotiator.
‘I know a little bit about everything but not a lot about everything,? he quipped, trying to decrease the focus on his individual accomplishments. ‘I’m a team player. It’s not what I do, it’s what we all do together.?
Gardner wanted to be in law enforcement since he was a child.
‘I wanted to change the world, and I thought it would be cool to be a cop,? he said.
Has he changed the world? ‘Probably in bits and pieces, but if I’ve changed things I don’t know about it, but that’s OK with me.?
Gardner is not a stranger to Springfield Township. He lived in the township about 11 years ago (he and his family now live in the eastern part of the county), and he has worked an occasional road patrol shift.
‘Everyone’s been extremely nice,? he said of his reception so far. ‘I’m going to do the best job I can.?
He brings a friendly but no-nonsense style of management, and said he tries to be fair and honest with everyone. ‘What you see is what you get.?
With a wife and a 15-year-old daughter, Gardner believes family is important and said, ‘I’m pretty much a homebody.? He stays active following his daughter’s active involvement in volleyball and other sports.
He’s a sports fan, himself, and had a quick answer concerning the Detroit Pistons? chances in the NBA Finals.
‘I think it’s going to go seven,? he said. ‘They have the talent to do it; it just depends which team is going to show up.?