LANSING – House Speaker Andy Dillon (D-Redford Twp.) today announced that Sgt. David D. Dickson Jr. has been named the Chief Sergeant at Arms for the Michigan House of Representatives.
"Sgt. Dickson has a tremendous record of service to the people of Michigan as a police officer, S.W.A.T. team member and sheriff," Dillon said. "His leadership and dedication are second-to-none and will serve him well as Chief Sergeant at Arms for the House. I look forward to working with him and welcome him to our team."
Dickson served as an Assistant Sergeant for the House for the past three and a half years. Previously, he served as the Eaton County Sheriff for four years and a Lansing police officer for 25 years, where he also served as a S.W.A.T. team member. Dickson also was a defense tactics instructor at the Mid-Michigan Police Academy.
Dickson is the first African American to serve as Chief Sergeant at Arms for the House.
The Chief Sergeant at Arms provides a variety of security and service-related functions to safeguard House members, staff, visitors and property of the House of Representatives. The Chief Sergeant at Arms also maintains security, order and decorum during all House sessions.
"I am pleased to have been chosen for this position," Dickson said. "I believe it is a privilege to serve the House of Representatives. I will do my best to serve and protect the Representatives and their staffs."
"Our men and women in uniform put their lives on the line for us on a daily basis," said Rich Brown, Clerk of the House. "Sgt. Dickson should be praised for his years of service and sacrifice. This new position is simply an extension of his service to the state of Michigan, and I have every confidence that he will continue to serve us well."