At the age of 17, Capt. Reid Chakrabarty enlisted in the US Navy in 1991 and served until 1995. He grew up in Canton and wasn’t into school as a teen: “That’s why I went into the Navy,” he said. “I credit the Navy for really turning me around. I got to see what real life is and what consequences are.” Upon his discharge, he held a few different jobs, but decided to take a position with the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office in 1998 (he started as a floor security officer at Jail Division II). “I have always had a strong calling to serve,” said Capt. Chakrabarty. While working at the WCSO, he received his Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice and Psychology from the University of Detroit Mercy and his Graduate Degree in Law Enforcement Intelligence and Analysis from Michigan State University and graduated MSU Staff and Command.

“I am very lucky in my position; my days are usually not typical,” Capt. Chakrabarty said. “I can have a day where I am just reviewing reports and performing administrative duties, or I can have a day filled with crime scene processing, interviewing, and searching for evidence.” Capt. Chakrabarty works very closely with our federal, state, and local partners (FBI, Michigan State Police, Detroit Police, and many other local agencies) and enjoys a great relationship with them. “We all work together to serve the community more effectively.” He added that it takes a special personality to be able to do the work of an Internal Affairs Captain: “We’re only the bad guy to the bad guys, so the good guys have nothing to fear from this office.”

“I like to hunt and fish. I actually own a bait and tackle shop down in Trenton,” said Capt. Chakrabarty. “Trenton Lighthouse. My father opened it in 1987 and then when he passed in 2019, we promised him that we’d keep it going.” Capt. Chakrabarty also says he simply “loves hanging out by water.” Capt. Chakrabarty is also a charter boat captain, and before a military injury, he said he loved biking and running.

Capt. Chakrabarty said he likes to think of himself as the “good mistake.” He has an older brother, Chris (they’re 10 years apart). Capt. Chakrabarty’s father was a Canton firefighter. “He was the one of the original seven that started the canton fire department.”

Capt. Chakrabarty said he has always had a dog since he was little. “Currently I have three.” Erika: “And Kids?” “We like pets. They listen better!” With a laugh, Capt. Chakrabarty said he has a son, 22-year-old son, Scottlar, and a 21-year-old son, Hunter. Capt. Chakrabarty has also been married for 28 years. “Kim was 18, maybe just turned 19… We met when I was in the service in California, and we got married in Vegas.

“Personally, I would say my grandparents had a great deal of influence on my life and decision to serve,” said Capt. Chakrabarty. His paternal grandfather immigrated from India in 1920 at just 18 years old and told Capt. Chakrabarty the story of why he came to America: “Although he was a Brahmin (the highest of the caste system), he left his wealth and position to come to America because he despised what the British did to his country and we (the USA) had already kicked them out,” said Capt. Chakrabarty. “[My grandfather] would often emphasize that there is a peaceful solution to every situation, and this has helped me throughout my life and career.” Capt. Chakrabarty said his maternal grandmother immigrated from Poland in 1924 at the age of 12 and taught him how grateful we must be to live in the United States: “No matter how bad you think it is, it could be much worse,” Capt. Chakrabarty said. “She had tremendous pride in her new country and would say she was 120% American, standing every time the National Anthem would play, regardless of where she was. Having these influences from extremely different regions and cultures has equipped me to see the world in a unique and humble light.”

“I always tell the new recruits that this profession is not for everyone and that although it may sound cliché, law enforcement is the most honorable career in the world,” Capt. Chakrabarty said. “You need to understand that you are held to a higher standard than the general public and must act accordingly. In life, you should treat all people with equality. In law enforcement, this is a concept that must never be lost or set aside. There is a common phrase passed around: ‘treat the janitor the same as the president.’ I encourage everyone to do their best to practice this, especially in dealing with the people we serve. Honesty and integrity are key to surviving a career in law enforcement. I am known to tell the classes I’ve taught, both at Jailers Training and Michigan State University, that we can always deal with the truth, but once you have told a lie, you have given away your integrity. TELL THE TRUTH!”

“My street name here is Jedi, and I got that from Cpl. Riad Ahmad — he would say, ‘you’re learning young Jedi, you’re learning,’ and it just stuck… and that was the name I carried through Narcotics and SRT.”

“I’d like to make it to retirement,” said Capt. Chakrabarty. “And when I do, I want to be able to be in a position physically and mentally to travel with my wife – to actually enjoy retirement.” Capt. Chakrabarty said he would simply love to be able to have more time to enjoy the things he loves to do, like hunting and fishing, with “continued good health.”

Rusty Nail Lounge (in Canton) at 13 years old. “My first day there – I broke a glass in ice.”

Capt. Chakrabarty says it depends: “If it’s the investigations here at the office… very meticulous, very organized,” he said. “If it’s dealing with the house, it can be cluttered. I don’t like it, but my wife, Kim — she’s very disorganized, so I’ve learned after these 30 years to kind of accept that.”

“I like Thai food. On fire – always on fire.”

“That society can turn on a dime,” said Capt. Chakrabarty. “My mother-in-law, she’d always say, ‘that’s where they’re at, and that’s OK.’ That would just mean that that person is going to do what that person is going to do, and just let him do it. You’re still going to do what you’re going to do — the right way… this is what you can control.”

Rush. Capt. Chakrabarty was involved with a cover band “Argosy” in high school: he ran the lights. “I’m not very musical,” he added, with a chuckle.

“My job is to really make sure that we are actively soliciting grants that can be used to help the Sheriff’s Office’s core functions, but also — working with communities who receive funding through the Department of Justice,” Dr. Banks-Hall said. “We’re considered the liaison for them. My job as the Grants Director is to really administer and oversee the award, make sure you’re in compliance and you’re receiving everything that you need. Part of it, too, is the argument — why you want to give the money.” Erika: “Do you like arguing?” Dr. Banks-Hall: “Yes! I’m very good at it! I am not afraid — I will walk right into the tornado!”

Dr. Banks-Hall began working in this position in January of 2022. Before joining the WCSO, she was working as a Dean at Cleary University. Dr. Banks-Hall got her bachelor’s degree in Business Management and her MBA with a concentration in Human Relations from Baker College. She received her doctorate degree in Organizational Leadership from Walden University. Dr. Banks-Hall is married to Dolphus Hall, Jr. and grew up in Detroit. She went to Cass Tech High School and said it helped her appreciate being around all types of people.

Dr. Banks-Hall said she loves dealing with people: “I stay in constant contact with the Department of Justice and then also the communities that I’m actually serving. One of the things that I’m looking forward to is really digging in deeper and creating relationships with other organizations that can assist us with funding.”

“I’ve tried different opportunities,” said Dr. Banks-Hall. “I sold Mary Kay cosmetics. I did taxes… I made soap. And then, finally, I really realized [what I wanted to do] when my father-in-law was ill in 2009… and I was laid off from the automotive industry. I was working on my master’s degree and sitting in his room every day at a nursing home.” Dr. Banks-Hall said she chatted with his nursing home care workers and noticed they were complaining about their jobs, “and I found myself motivating these people to not take it any longer.” Dr. Banks-Hall said she motivated and encouraged them so much, they began to listen: “I realized that I had a great connection with really motivating people, so I started a company where I could sit down and help people with personal development… and that led me to really want my doctorate degree in leadership.”

“Bubbly. No-nonsense… And I’m just not for the drama! Give it to me straight! I think I just love life and just enjoy being free to be myself. I’m not in competition with anybody. I just do what Regina Banks-Hall wants to do.”

“I’m a distinguished clown. I’m a distinguished toastmaster. I’m learning to play the piano and learning Spanish!” (We decided Dr. Bubbles may be a fun clown name because she doesn’t have one. What do you think?)

Dr. Banks-Hall writes – A LOT! She has written 8 books and she is working on her next one right now.

Dr. Banks-Hall said she has two fears: she doesn’t like big dogs (after a bad experience) and has a fear of heights. She would like to get over those fears, will continue to write and would love to travel more. “I love to play golf, so I want to go to Scotland and play on one of those really beautiful golf courses,” she said. “I just want to make sure that before I leave this Earth…. That I really just see the world.” Dr. Banks-Hall said she also hopes to “learn the piano so well that I can give a concert and invite everybody to an evening with Dr. Banks-Hall.”

“I love South Beach. I love Manhattan. I’m a theatre person, so if I’m going to go to New York, I want to see a play.” Dr. Banks-Hall said she also loves going up north to Boyne, Michigan.

“Organized,” said Dr. Banks-Hall. While motioning to the stacks of papers on her desk, she added, “now, I might have a couple of piles here, but I understand what’s in each pile.”

“Baked potato. I LOVE baked potatoes.”

“Staying up late. Definitely,” said Dr. Banks-Hall. “I had a job at Chrysler… and the gentleman wanted me to start at 7 am o’clock. The first day, I made it, and I was like, ‘listen, I really appreciate this opportunity, but we’re going to have to talk about what time I’m going to get here.’

Despite the above story, Dr. Banks-Hall said her nickname at Chrysler (while she was the Operations Coordinator) was “The Warden,” because she was such a stickler for organization. “I was really a stickler on how you treated corporate assets. We had a lot of expensive things. One day, I was walking through the department and I heard somebody say, “shh The Warden’s coming.” So, I turn around because I’m looking around like, ‘I wonder who you’re talking about,’ and the guy said, ‘we’re talking about you!’ I said, ‘I’m The Warden?’ He said, ‘you’re the one with all the rules!’” Dr. Banks-Hall said she took it as a compliment: “I said — could I get a shirt made with that on there?”

“I’m a very strong believer in lifelong learning,” said Dr. Banks-Hall. “I would tell any new person coming to the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office to come in with an open mind and have flexibility. Learn everything about their position and then, think about where they would want to be. I believe that you shouldn’t be afraid of a promotion. If you have gifts and talents, you should go for it. Don’t sell yourself short! Sometimes we need to push ourselves out of our comfort zones, so that we can actually grow, and we’ll discover a lot more about ourselves.”