Kalamazoo:
The Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety will open up the application process for the position of “Public Safety Officer” on Wednesday, May 20, 2020. The application process will remain open until 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, June 3, 2020.

Application: Applications may be submitted online between 05/20/20 and 06/03/20 at the following websites:

1- https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/kalamazoomi
2- www.kalamazoopublicsafety.org

KDPS’ hiring process consists of an application, a written test, a physical agility test, a background investigation and several interviews throughout the process. If these steps are successfully completed, it is anticipated that an offer of employment will be given in January, 2021.

Qualifications: To be considered for employment, applicants must be a U.S. citizen, have a High School Diploma or GED equivalent, possess a valid driver’s license, and be 21 years old at time of appointment (January, 2021). Applicants will also be required to pass a written and physical test and undergo an extensive background investigation. Applicants are not required to be MCOLES (Police) certified to apply. KDPS desires candidates with integrity, a strong work ethic, and a desire to serve our Kalamazoo community.

Benefits: KDPS 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, within the City of Kalamazoo. Applicants do not need to have prior police or fire certifications to be considered, as KDPS will sponsor them through the police academy and provide fire training, if needed. A training wage may apply to those who need to attend the Police Academy. Additional benefits include a Spanish language bonus, veteran on-the-job training education benefits and the federal direct student loan forgiveness program.

Additionally, KDPS offers lateral transfers for current police officers (MCOLES certified/certifiable). Police officers currently employed full-time and in good standing with another police agency 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.

Advancement Opportunities: There are multiple advancement/additional opportunities for Public Safety Officers to include the position of: 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: Executive Lieutenant Danielle Guilds

Date: April 28, 2020
Address: 150 E. Crosstown Pkwy., Suite A, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
Media Contact: Jeff VanderWiere, Assistant Chief, (269) 337-8270

Kalamazoo, MI: Kalamazoo Public Safety received credible intelligence that retaliation was imminent over a homicide that occurred early Saturday morning on April 11, 2020. Information obtained was that a group from Benton Harbor, MI was going to travel to Kalamazoo over the weekend in an attempt to seek retribution. Kalamazoo Public Safety was able to identify key persons on both sides of the dispute and conduct targeted enforcement.

On Saturday, April 18, 2020 at approximately 4:00 p.m., Investigators from the Kalamazoo Valley Enforcement Team (KVET) and Crime Reduction Team (CRT) apprehended one on the involved subjects in the 3600 block of W. Michigan Ave during a traffic stop and was found to be in possession of a stolen handgun and methamphetamine. The 29-year-old Kalamazoo resident was arrested and lodged at the Kalamazoo County Jail on the charges of carrying a concealed weapon, possession of methamphetamine, possession of a stolen handgun, and felony firearm related offenses.

Shortly after the first arrest, at approximately 5:50 p.m., KVET and CRT Investigators apprehended a second involved subject in the 4400 Stadium Drive who was found to be in possession of a loaded AR-style rifle and methamphetamine. The 30-year-old Kalamazoo resident was arrested and lodged at the Kalamazoo County Jail on the charges of carrying a concealed weapon, possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine and felony firearm related offenses.

On Sunday, April 19, 2020, at approximately 12:30 a.m., KVET investigators and officers from the Operations Division intercepted three vehicles in the 400 block of Drexel Ave. that had just arrived in Kalamazoo from Benton Harbor, MI. Occupants of two of the vehicles were detained on scene. Seven subjects and three handguns were located inside the vehicles. The third vehicle fled from the officers and the two occupants were detained after a vehicle pursuit that ended in the 1300 block of Princeton Ave. A handgun was recovered from the vehicle. At total of nine subjects were arrested and the officers recovered four firearms from the occupants. The suspects, all from Benton Harbor, MI ranging in age from 17-24 years old, were arrested and lodged at the Kalamazoo County Jail on several charges including carrying concealed weapons, fleeing and eluding, resisting and obstructing arrest, and conspiracy to commit murder.

On Monday, April 20, 2020, at approximately 3:30 a.m., Kalamazoo Public Safety officers responded to a report of gun shots fired in the 700 block of S. Howard Street. Officers arrived to find several spent bullet casings in the parking lot and a loaded handgun. A description of the suspect vehicle was obtained through witnesses. Later in the morning, Public Safety Officers located the suspect vehicle and a pursuit ensued after the vehicle failed to stop for officers. The pursuit led through several jurisdictions and ended in 200 block of Grandview Avenue in Kalamazoo where the suspect intentionally crashed into one of the pursuing Kalamazoo Public Safety vehicles. The suspect ran from the scene on foot and was later apprehended by PSO Dumond and his canine “Axl” after he was found hiding under a car in the 200 block of W. Maple Street. The 17-year-old Kalamazoo resident was arrested and lodged at the Kalamazoo County Jail on the charges or fleeing and eluding, resisting and obstructing arrest and felonious assault.

Kalamazoo Public Safety would like to thank the Michigan State Police, Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Office, Kalamazoo Township Police, Western Michigan University Police Department, and Portage Public Safety for their assistance in the weekend operation.

Kalamazoo Public Safety encourages anyone with information regarding this investigation to contact the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety at 269-488-8911, Silent Observer at 269-343-2100 or report online at www.kalamazoosilentobserver.com.

By authority of: Captain Matt Huber

Date: April 20, 2020
Address: 150 E. Crosstown Pkwy., Suite A, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
Contact: Captain Craig Habel, Criminal Investigations Division, 269-337-8139

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