Isaiah McKinnon's achievements can serve as inspiration to all.

City Scape: By Brenda Schneider

Some might say that being a police officer is a family tradition. Others might say they were influenced by the cops they saw on television.

I know of one individual who would say, quite poignantly, that he became a police officer as a result of being beaten unmercifully by two cops as a child.

This same individual grew up determined that no black child again experience the pain, suffering and humiliation that he did one fall day when he was in the wrong place at the wrong time. That young man grew up to become, not only a police officer, but the Chief of Police for one of this nation's largest urban cities.

Who was that person? His name is Ike McKinnon. With a passion in his heart and a strong commitment to justice, McKinnon set about on a career in law enforcement.

As chief of police during Mayor Dennis Archer's first administration, McKinnon brought the department to new professional heights. But what does a police chief from a large urban city do when he decides to expand his career options?

In this case, McKinnon has chosen to become a professor at the University of Detroit Mercy and launch a public speaking career focusing on crisis management, inspiration and conflict resolution. When McKinnon stepped down, he was replaced by his protégé Benny Napoleon.

McKinnon believes passionately that his 30 years of acquired skills in the public and private sector allow him to share his knowledge on effective negotiating and communicating. He is a powerful speaker and spins his experiences into an outstanding presentation, which focuses on real life stories of working the streets of a large urban city. He is a master storyteller and often incorporates music into his programs, as he has an excellent singing voice. He has been known throughout his career to break into a song at a moment's notice.

McKinnon has seen it all. He first joined the Detroit Police Department in 1965. He later became director of private security for the Detroit Renaissance Center. In 1994, he became police chief, overseeing more than 4,700 employees.

He led the Police Department through its restructuring in the first few years of the Archer Administration dealing with a variety of issues -- charges of fraudulent officer exams to putting together the security for international meetings in Detroit such as the G7 Summit, hosted by Archer and President Clinton at the Fox Theater.

McKinnon used his commitment to education to serve as a mentor and role model to Detroit youths. He was often seen speaking to youngsters at Detroit Public Schools.

He is known for his commitment to community service, which included the reassignment of more than 380 officers to active patrol in Detroit neighborhoods. He played an instrumental role in reducing violent crime, and for fostering a working relationship with residents, federal agencies in Detroit, regional law enforcement counterparts and the media.

McKinnon was instrumental in building linkages within southwest Detroit, when he set up meetings with four rival gangs and successfully negotiated a truce to the gang wars. He also is known for his heroic effort to talk a distraught woman down from the bridge over to Belle Isle.

The former chief holds a doctorate of philosophy in administration and higher education from Michigan State University. He also attended the FBI Academy and the U.S. Secret Service Dignitary Production School.

He continually gives back to his community and has been involved in a variety of community charities, including serving on the Dad's Club at the University of Detroit Jesuit High School, the Grosse Pointe Academy Board of Trustees, the Ronald McDonald House Board of Directors, the Children's Center for Wayne County Board of Directors, the Detroit Urban League, Halfways to Hope and others.
We all are better off today for having Ike McKinnon in our lives. He truly is an inspiration.

Brenda L. Schneider is vice-president and director of Business and Development Services for Detroit based Comerica Bank. Her column appears monthly in On Detroit.