Northville chief ends 43-year career

Sept. 18, 2014  PLYMOUTH EAGLE.

Plymouth Michigan News

On his last day as chief last Friday, Goss admitted his retirement might be somewhat bitter-sweet.

“I’m going to miss Northville. I feel I’ve been really fortunate to have worked here and have the support of all the officers who pitched in and helped these past eight years.”

Goss has spent 43 years in law enforcement. He joined the Detroit Police Department in 1971 and graduated from the police academy in March of 1972. He joined the City of Farmington in 1978 as a public safety officer which included duties as both a police and fire officer. He served on the Farmington Public Safety Department for more than 25 years, the last 13 of which he was the director of public safety.

Goss joined the Michigan Sheriffs’ Association in Lansing in 2004 where he remained for about a year before becoming police chief for the Village of Fowlerville. From Fowlerville , he joined the City of Northville department.

Goss has a bachelors degree from Mercy College and a masters of public administration degree from Eastern Michigan University, where he is currently an instructor of public safety administration.

Northville Police Cpt. Michael Carlson will replace Goss in the chief’s office. Carlson has been with the Northville department since 1992 and is a graduate of Madonna University and the School of Police Staff and Command.

Goss said he has every confidence in Carlson and feels the transition will be an easy one.

He said that Carlson has ample command experience both with the Northville department and during his service in the U.S. Army.

Goss said he plans to continue teaching at the university and doesn’t expect to be bored during his retirement.

“I have a big honey-do list to work on,” he said.

Plymouth Voice.