Sterling Heights City Manager Mark Vanderpool has appointed Andrew Satterfield, former captain for the Troy, Michigan Police Department, as the new Sterling Heights Chief of Police, effective July 14, 2025. The appointment is subject to City Council confirmation on July 1, 2025. The Chief position was created upon former Chief Dale Dwojakowski’s transition to assistant city manager on Dec. 9, 2024.
Satterfield’s appointment follows thorough recruitment and extensive evaluative processes that produced three experienced and qualified candidates. All three participated in a rigorous daylong assessment conducted by Empco Inc., a local company specializing in independent candidate testing services for public entities, as well as formal interviews with the city manager, human resources and select city directors. The assessment included interviews, oral presentations, role-playing and in-basket exercises. Satterfield achieved the highest assessment center score of the three candidates.
“Mr. Satterfield comes strongly recommended by municipal and law enforcement leaders from across the region,” said City Manager Mark Vanderpool. “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.”
Satterfield is a highly accomplished law enforcement professional with a distinguished 27-year career in policing, leadership and community service with the Troy Police Department. He has served as a law enforcement officer, progressing through departmental ranks, accruing vast experience including work 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. 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, he served as lieutenant, leading internal affairs, officer recruitment and training, and facility management. He developed a streamlined training program that increased in-house sessions by 40% and saved $20,000 annually.
For the past six years, he has held the rank of Captain, overseeing operations and support services, including patrol units, emergency dispatch, budgeting, and more. He played a key role in the department's 2024 accreditation and implemented critical initiatives such as the P25 radio system and a COVID-era alternate work schedule.
Satterfield holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, a master’s degree in administration and leadership and is a graduate of Northwestern University’s School of Police Staff and Command. He has received numerous awards, including four Chief Awards and multiple service recognitions.
Beyond his police work, Satterfield has served as a volunteer firefighter for 20 years, founded a public safety scholarship endowment and actively supports several civic and charitable organizations. He is also a proud U.S. Army Reservist veteran with an honorable discharge.
“It is an incredible honor to be selected as the next Chief of Police for the city of Sterling Heights,” said Satterfield. “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. I look forward to working alongside the dedicated men and women of the Sterling Heights Police Department to ensure Sterling Heights remains Michigan’s safest big city.”
Satterfield’s leadership and extensive experience will be integral as the city continues its commitment to innovating public service and providing the safest community for all 135,000 residents.