Kalamazoo, MI:

Earlier today, Kalamazoo Public Safety received notice that a Kalamazoo Public Safety officer tested positive for COVID-19 following an off-duty exposure. The officer is currently off work, recovering at home. Further information regarding the identity of the officer will not be released. Kalamazoo Public Safety has been working closely with the Kalamazoo County Public Health Department and the City of Kalamazoo to comply with all reporting requirements needed for the State of Michigan.

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kalamazoo Public Safety has been diligent and proactive in our planning for potential COVID-19 cases involving our first responders. As a department, we have maintained a thorough and comprehensive exposure plan for our first responders that is in compliance with the exposure protocols set forth by the State of Michigan. The continued safety of our first responders, their families and the public is our upmost priority. We again remind citizens that our level of service and commitment to our community is uncompromised and our department will continue to provide high quality service to the City of Kalamazoo.

Kalamazoo Public Safety continues to work through the daily challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic and will continue to keep the public apprised of any updates to our operational readiness. Residents and visitors are reminded to do their part to slow the spread of COVID-19 by continuing to take precautionary safety measures such as hand washing and social distancing.

By authority of: XO Danielle Guilds

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Kalamazoo, MI:
Effective at 7:00 a.m. this morning, Kalamazoo Public Safety enacted a temporary closure to the general public of all Public Safety facilities. This included Public Safety Headquarters which generally handles numerous walk-in services and houses our Records Division. It is unknown at this time how long this temporary closure will last while we do our part to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Please be assured that the City of Kalamazoo is closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation and will continue to keep the public apprised of any updates to our operational functions. During this time, Kalamazoo Public Safety will continue to provide high quality responses to police, fire, and EMS calls for service within the City of Kalamazoo.

The following services will be impacted by the closure:

Headquarters Walk-In Services

Walk-In Crime Reporting: Walk-in crime reporting will not be available during the closure. Residents are encouraged to use online reporting for select crimes through the “Report a Crime” link on our website www.kalamazoopublicsafety.org or to contact the Kalamazoo County Consolidated Dispatch Authority (KCCDA) for non-emergency incidents at 269.488.8911. If preferred, citizens can advise the dispatch call-taker that they would like phone contact with an officer as opposed to in-person reporting if possible.

Walk-In Arrests: Walk-in arrests will not be available during the closure.
Red Med Box: The Red Med Box will not be available for drop-off during the closure.

Sex Offender Registration and Payments: Walk-in sex offender registration and payments will not be available during the closure. Residents who need to register and should contact the Michigan State Police for guidance and available registration locations.

Records Bureau

For anything related to the records bureau, please see the following:

Traffic Crash Reports: Please visit www.ecrash.lexisnexis.com to access your report. There will be a fee to access your report online. Additionally, the user must provide the KDPS police report number when accessing this information online.

Police Report Requests (non-traffic crashes): Please visit www.kalamazoopublicsafety.org. Click on the “Resources” tab and click “Freedom of Information Act”. Here you can make an account and request a report. Please note, closure days will not be considered business days for the purpose of completing FOIA requests. Requests will not be processed until after the Records Division resumes normal operations.

Parking Ticket Payments: Please visit www.parkingticketpayment.com/kalamazoo to pay parking tickets online.
Pistol Purchase Permits: Licenses to purchase a pistol are not available during the closure.

Gun Permits: Gun permits can be mailed to your local jurisdiction and will be handled once normal operations resume. You will not be penalized for being longer than 10 days than the date of purchase if this delay was due to the closure. If you are not sure of your local jurisdiction, please feel free to send your permit to:

150 East Crosstown Parkway
Suite A
Kalamazoo, MI 49001

Kalamazoo Public Safety will determine your local jurisdiction for you and send it off.

Fingerprints Orders/Requests: Fingerprints will not be available during the closure.

Background Checks: Background checks are available at www.michigan.gov/ICHAT. There will be a fee to utilize this service. IChat will check the entire state of Michigan. Local background checks will not be available during the closure.

Kalamazoo Public Safety will provide an update once normal operations resume. Residents and visitors are reminded to do their part to slow the spread of COVID-19 by continuing to take precautionary safety measures such as hand washing and social distancing.

By authority of: XO Danielle Guilds

Kalamazoo, MI:
In response to the current COVID19 precautions that are being implemented throughout the State of Michigan, Kalamazoo Public Safety recognizes that citizens may be hesitant to have officers stop by their residence or place of employment to file a police report. There are several alternative reporting options that can be utilized by Kalamazoo residents and visitors to help reduce exposure to first responders and the public. Citizens are encouraged to use these alternative crime reporting options as needed. Please be assured that Kalamazoo Public Safety will continue to provide high quality response to police, fire, and EMS calls for service within the City of Kalamazoo.

Online Reporting: Kalamazoo Public Safety allows online crime reporting for selected crimes through our website: www.kalamazoopublicsafety.org. Online users can click the “Report A Crime” link on our main page to file a report. Certain criteria must be met for the use of the online crime reporting system:

 The incident must be non-emergency (does not require immediate police response)  The incident must have occurred inside the City of Kalamazoo  No known suspects or evidence  Not involve firearms or prescription drugs  Not occur on a state highway

Crimes that are eligible for online reporting can include:

 Child Custody Violations  Harassing Phone Calls  Identity Theft  Lost Property  Malicious Destruction of Property  Suspicious Activity  Theft  Theft of Gas  Trouble with Subject

All cases filed using the online reporting system will be reviewed within five business days. If you have questions about completing a report, please call Teleserve at 269.337.8144 during business hours, M-F 8am-12pm and 1pm-4pm.

Telephone Reporting: If a crime doesn’t meet online reporting requirements; it is still possible that an officer may be able to take your report via telephone. Citizens are encouraged to contact the Kalamazoo County Consolidated Dispatch Authority (KCCDA) for non-emergency incidents at 269.488.8911. Citizens can advise the call-taker that if possible, they would prefer phone contact with an officer as opposed to in-person reporting. Silent Observer: Citizens are reminded that they may submit anonymous tips regarding criminal activity and/or provide information on open police cases through Silent Observer. Citizens can contact the Silent Observer tip hotline at 269.343.2100 or submit a tip online at www.kalamazoosilentobserver.com.

3-1-1: Citizens can receive additional information regarding City of Kalamazoo Services by contacting 3-1-1. Residents can call 3-1-1 (or 269.337.8000 for non-City of Kalamazoo callers) for any questions regarding any non-emergency City Services (e.g. Water Department, Public Services, Human Resources, Treasury, Community Planning/ Economic Development). 3-1-1 is staffed M-F, 8am-5pm.

2-1-1: For community resource information such as crisis support, housing assistance, food pantry information and more, citizens can call 2-1-1 (available 24 hours a day).

Kalamazoo Public Safety will provide additional information regarding reporting options as needed. Residents and visitors are reminded to do their part to slow the spread of COVID19 by continuing to take precautionary safety measures such as hand washing and social distancing.

By authority of: XO Danielle Guilds

Date: March 17, 2020
Address: 150 E. Crosstown Pkwy., Suite A, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
Contact: Ex. Lieutenant Danielle Guilds, Office of Professional Standards, 269.337.8270

Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety is excited to announce the opening of an application process for the position of “Public Safety Officer”. This process is limited to those individuals who:

1. Are currently licensed and working full-time as a police officer in the State of Michigan;
2. Are currently certified/licensed and working full-time out-of-state as a police officer and eligible for reciprocal licensure within the State of Michigan as defined by MCOLES;
3. Have recently separated employment (in good standing) within the last year after being employed full-time as a police officer at a department within the State of Michigan.
4. Will be eligible to be licensed by Michigan Commission of Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES) prior to the date of hire in May, 2020.
   

Police officers currently employed full-time and in good standing with another police agency would have the opportunity to laterally transfer up to three (3) years of police experience in regards to the current wage scale. This lateral transfer would significantly increase starting wages for eligible new hires.

An illustrative example is one that candidates with three (3) completed years of service as a certified police officer would receive a starting annual salary of $59,776.00. Additionally, once the qualifying candidate successfully completes their initial training and their probationary period (approximately 1 year), the annual salary for the candidate would increase to $65,891.00 under the current bargaining agreement.

The application process consists of an application, a written test, a background packet, physical agility test, and several interviews throughout the process. Once these steps are completed, it is anticipated that an offer of employment would be given in May, 2020.

Applications may be submitted between January 15, 2020 through January 31, 2020 at the following websites:
1- https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/kalamazoomi
2- www.kalamazoopublicsafety.org

To be considered as a KDPS employee, applicants must be MCOLES certified or certifiable, must be a U.S. citizen and have a High School Diploma or GED equivalent, a valid driver’s license, and be 21 years old at time of appointment in May 2020. Applicants will also be required to pass a written and physical test, and an extensive background investigation.

Kalamazoo Public Safety Officers are cross-trained as police officers, firefighters, and medical first responders. They respond to calls for police, fire, and medical emergencies, along with performing other duties. Additional benefits include a Spanish language bonus, veteran on-the-job training education benefits and the federal direct student loan forgiveness program.

Advancement/additional opportunities include Detective, Canine Handler, Community Policing Officer, Narcotics Investigator, Crime Lab Technician, SWAT Team, Bomb Squad, Honor Guard, and Command Officer.
Information about KDPS is available at www.kalamazoopublicsafety.org and questions can be submitted through the “Contact” link at the top of the Home Page.

By authority of: Inspector Matt Elzinga

Date: January 14, 2020
Address: 150 E. Crosstown Pkwy., Suite A, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
Subject: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

KDPS OFFERING HIRING INCENTIVE FOR CURRENT
MCOLES-CERTIFIED / CERTIFIABLE OFFICERS
APPLICATION PERIOD RUNS FROM JANUARY 15-31, 2020

Media Contact: Jeff VanderWiere, Assistant Chief, (269) 337-827

Kalamazoo, MI-

The Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety’s Pastors on Patrol will host the 2^nd Annual Coat/Toy Drive for families in need. Pastors on Patrol is reaching out to the community to donate new or gently used coats and new toys. Pastors will be on hand at Public Safety Headquarters, located at 150 E. Crosstown to take donated items November 9, 16 and 23, 2019 from 9am-12pm.

The coat and toy giveaway will take place on December 7, 2019, from 10am-1pm at the Jennings Development Interplex located at 1515 N. Edwards St.

The men of the Pi Lambda Sigma Alumni Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. will also be on hand to assist our Pastors with collection and giveaway. 

Any Kalamazoo Public Safety station will accept coats, gloves, new toys and new hats throughout the month of November. We will accept donations until Monday, December 2, 2019 at 3pm.   

Authority: Vernon Coakley, Assistant Chief

Operations/Community Outreach

Address:  150 E. Crosstown Pkwy., Suite A, Kalamazoo, MI 49001

Date:  October 29, 2019

Contact:  Assistant Chief Vernon Coakley, 269 337-8270