Listed below are advancement opportunities that are available within Kalamazoo Public Safety:
Detective
The detective division has 16 detectives, a polygraph examiner, a sergeant, an executive lieutenant, and a captain. Public Safety officers must take promotional exams for promotion to detective.
Canine Handler
Kalamazoo Public Safety has a total of 9 canine handlers. Assignment to the canine team is through a competitive promotional process.
Community Policing Officer
There are 4 Public Safety officers assigned to the community policing unit as well as one sergeant. Officers in the community policing unit are assigned to specific neighborhoods throughout the city and focus on quality of life issues and addressing other specific community needs within their assigned areas.
Fire Marshal
The City of Kalamazoo has one full time fire marshal.
Crime Lab
The City of Kalamazoo participates as part of a county wide crime lab. There are two crime lab specialist who work in the lab and 3 mobile lab technicians who respond to crime scenes to process scenes. There are also public safety officers who receive extra training in crime scene processing who fill in as relief mobile lab technicians as needed.
Field Training Officers
Field Training Officers are assigned to train new public safety officers.
Equipment Operators
Kalamazoo Public Safety has 3 fire platoons with approximately 10 equipment operators per platoon assigned to the 24 hour schedule. The position of equipment operator is seniority based.
SWAT
The Metro SWAT team is an on call team made up of officers from various police agencies within Kalamazoo County. Metro SWAT team members receive specialized training. Placement on the Metro SWAT team is made through a competitive process.
Bomb Squad
Kalamazoo Public Safety has the only bomb squad in the county. There are currently 5 members of the bomb squad and selection to this unit is through a competitive promotional process.
Honor Guard
The Honor Guard consists of approximately 20 public safety officers. The Honor Guard’s primary function is to represent Kalamazoo Public Safety at official functions such as funeral details, parades, and other special occasions.
Kalamazoo Valley Enforcement Team (C.O.P.S. Division)
The Kalamazoo Valley Enforcement Team is a multijurisdictional task force focusing on drug enforcement within Kalamazoo County. Assignment to this team is through a competitive promotional process