Bernard Austof, the police officer who came to Wayland to succeed Harry Werkema as public safety officer for Wayland schools in September 2014, now is serving as Allegan County’s Sheriff’s deputy for Leighton and Dorr townships.
Austof, who introduced himself Thursday night at the Dorr Township Board meeting, was not hired by the school district because of questions about a suit filed against him in Phoenix, Ariz. Werkema was asked to stay on for another year and Austof instead served as a police officer for the City of Wayland.
His hiring was supposed to be part of an agreement between Wayland Union schools and the city.
Austof within the last year has joined the Allegan County Sheriff’s Department and now has been reassigned to Leighton and Dorr townships, succeeding Ryan Rewa, who has moved into a position with the county’s K-9 unit.
Austof’ and other officers in Phoenix were accused of using excessive force by Jeronimo Soto, but since then he has been cleared of wrongdoing.
Welcome to Dorr Deputy Austof, we feel safer already.