Shane Wash, a 20-year veteran of the Farmington Public Safety Department, has been promoted to deputy director, filling the vacancy left by Deputy Director Todd Anderson's retirement June 12.

The city recognized Wash and three other newly promoted officers during a ceremony at a Farmington City Council meeting the week of Aug. 18. Commander Michael Weir, Sergeant Lisa Kobernick and Sergeant William Wood also received promotions.

Wash rose through the ranks from patrol officer to detective, sergeant and commander before stepping into the department's No. 2 role. He joined Farmington Public Safety in December 2005 and has nearly 30 years of total law enforcement experience.

"Shane is the kind of leader who makes the people around him better," Public Safety Director Bob Houhanisin said in a city announcement. "He has an exceptional combination of experience, intelligence, compassion and dedication. Throughout his career, Shane has consistently stepped up to serve, mentor and lead."

Houhanisin said he has "tremendous confidence" in Wash's ability to help guide the department forward.

Beyond patrol work, Wash teaches criminal justice, fire technology and homeland security at Schoolcraft College and serves as the lead emergency vehicle operations instructor for the Wayne County Regional Police Academy. He holds a bachelor's degree from Eastern Michigan University, a master's from Webster University and recently completed the Police School of Staff and Command at Northwestern University.

Wash also served as a field training officer, mentoring newer members of the department. He and Houhanisin co-presented honors at the department's annual awards ceremony earlier this year.

Anderson served more than 25 years with the department before his June retirement. The city's Facebook page congratulated all four promoted officers following the council ceremony.

Wash now leads alongside Houhanisin as the department's second-in-command, overseeing a team that includes the three other officers promoted at the same ceremony.