Flint Township View

Flushing police chief honored for law enforcement career




(Photo at right) Flushing Police Chief Mark Hoornstra (right) receiving his honorary plaque from Mayor Joseph Karlichek. (Photo at left) Hoornstra with wife Donna. Photo provided

(Photo at right) Flushing Police Chief Mark Hoornstra (right) receiving his honorary plaque from Mayor Joseph Karlichek. (Photo at left) Hoornstra with wife Donna. Photo provided

FLUSHING — Flushing City Police Chief Mark Hoornstra has received a stirring tribute from city officials for dedicating 40 years of service to law enforcement.

Last Monday, Flushing City Council members, city administration and city employees surprised Hoornstra with a celebration of his career. Hoornstra was joined by his wife Donna and his son Nicholas, who is currently a police officer in Maryland.

As part of his recognition, Hoornstra received honorary plaques from the City of Flushing, the Genesee County Association of Chiefs of Police and the office of State Sen. Ken Horn. Hoornstra’s wife was also presented with a dozen roses by Interim Flushing City Manager Clarence Goodlein.

“We are grateful for the leadership and commitment to excellence our chief and police officers share that serve with him under his command,” said Mayor Joseph Karlichek. “We are also grateful for the families of our police officers and all of our city employees who work tirelessly keeping Flushing City safe and clean for our citizens.”

Hoornstra’s police career began in 1981 when he joined the Livingston County Sheriff’s Department. After serving as an officer there for four years, he transitioned to the Ann Arbor Police Department and soon progressed through the ranks.

While with the Ann Arbor Police Department, Hoornstra rose to the rank of lieutenant and had co-responsibility for managing a $22 million expenditure budget, along with leadership in staff training, coordinated investigations of criminal investigations, program/policy development and public safety management.

Hoornstra retired from the Ann Arbor Police Department in 2007 but soon accepted an offer to become the Flushing police chief later that year. He has served the City of Flushing for 13 years.

During his tenure in Flushing, Hoornstra was appointed as an interim Flushing City Manager from March 2014 to January 2015 until a new city manager could be hired. He has also been a longtime member of the Genesee County Association of Chiefs of Police, representing the organization on many committees and serving as its president from 2012 to 2014.