MACKINAC ISLAND, MI - A little more than a year after he took the job as Mackinac’s police chief, Michael Gruits says he plans to resign from the island’s top law enforcement position - and is eyeing a career change.

In a letter to Mackinac Island Mayor Margaret Doud dated Aug. 28, Gruits tendered his resignation and said his last day on the job will be Nov. 25. The letter is included in a packet released ahead of the City Council’s regular meeting next week.

In the letter, the chief said he appreciates having been able to serve the department as well as the larger community in his role. And that he’s committed to creating a smooth transition for whomever is selected to replace him.

Gruits has been with the island’s small police department since 2021, first as a seasonal officer and the

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