Date: March 30th, 2023

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

Contact: KDPS Operations Division 269-337-8120

Wanted subject arrested at local hospital

Kalamazoo, MI:

On March 30th, 2023, at approximately 1:00 p.m., Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety officers and Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s deputies attempted to take a wanted subject into custody. The suspect, a 32-year-old male fled in a vehicle and evaded officers. A few minutes later, the suspect vehicle was located near Bronson Hospital. With the help of hospital security, it was determined that the suspect had entered the hospital on foot. Within approximately 15 minutes, the suspect was located inside the hospital and taken into custody without further resistance.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety at 337-8120 or Silent Observer at 343-2100


By authority of:

Lt. Robert Holdwick

Date:  Wednesday, March 29, 2023

Address:  150 E. Crosstown Parkway, Kalamazoo, MI 49001

Contact:  Jay Shitara, 269-337-8945 

Kalamazoo, MI: Wednesday, March 29, 2023 at approximately 7:43 p.m. Kalamazoo Public Safety Officers responded to a structure fire in the 1500 block of Cobb Street. Upon arrival, there was smoke coming from the front of the residence and the eaves. The fire started in the kitchen from the stove and traveled up the walls; it was brought under control in approximately 10 minutes.

The residents were home at the time of the fire and able to escape with no injuries. The fire is currently being investigated by the Fire Marshall’s office.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Public Safety at 337-8994 or Silent Observer at 343-2100 or www.kalamazoosilentobserver.com.

By authority of:  Lt. Gretchen Mayo

Date:  March 29, 2023

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

Contact:  Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety 337-8120

On Wednesday, March 29, 2023, at about 11:57 am, officers responded to a possible structure fire in the 1100 block of Douglas. Officers saw smoke coming from inside the residence upon arrival. Officers were able to quickly identify the fire was in the kitchen and put the fire out within 10 minutes. The residents were home at the time of the fire and were able to get out safely. The fire is currently being investigated by the Fire Marshal’s office.

Anyone with information regarding this incident should contact the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety at (269) 337-8120 or Kalamazoo Silent Observer at (269) 343-2100.  Anonymous tips can also be submitted at www.KalamazooSilentObserver.com or the free app:  P3Tips.

Authority: Sgt Bentley

Date:  March 29, 2023

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

Media Contact:Jihad Shatara, Public Information Officer, (269) 337-8945

Accepting Applications Online April 5, 2023– April 19, 2023

Kalamazoo- The Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety will open the application process for the position of “Public Safety Officer” on Wednesday, April 5, 2023. The application process will remain open until 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, April 19, 2023.  

Application:

Applications may be submitted online between 04/5/2023 and 04/19/2023 at the following websites:

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

KDPS’ hiring process includes 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 August 2023.

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 (August 2023). Applicants will also be required to pass a written and physical test and undergo an extensive background investigation. KDPS seeks candidates with integrity, a strong work ethic, and a desire to serve our Kalamazoo community.

Benefits:

Public Safety Officers (PSOs) protect and serve the communityby responding to calls for service involving police, fire, and medical emergencies in a professional and caring manner, to enhance the quality of life for all people in the City of Kalamazoo. KDPS offers a meaningful career that promotes balance between life and career and has opportunities for professional development and advancement through promotion.

Applicants do not need to have prior police or fire certifications to be considered, as KDPS will sponsor hired applicants through the police academy and provide fire/EMS training, if needed. Additional benefits include, but are not limited to, a Spanish language bonus, veteran on-the-job training education benefits, a defined benefit pension plan, a $5,000 annual residency bonus, a tuition reimbursement program, the federal direct student loan forgiveness program, and more.

Additionally, KDPS offers lateral transfers for current police officers (MCOLES certified/ certifiable) and full-time firefighter/medical first responders. Police officers or firefighters currently employed full-time and in good standing with another police or fire agency have the opportunity to laterally transfer up to three (3) years of police experience in regard to the current wage scale. This lateral transfer will significantly increase starting wages for eligible new hires.  Lateral transfers are also eligible for a $15,000 hiring bonus.

Advancement Opportunities:

There are multiple career advancement opportunities for PSOs to include the positions of: Detective, Canine Handler, Community Policing Officer, Narcotics Investigator, Crime Lab Technician, SWAT Technician, Bomb Squad Technician, Recruiter, Fire Marshal, Honor Guard Member, Peer Fitness Trainer, Training Officer, Technical Rescue Team Member, Command Officer and more.  

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.

To speak to a recruiter about a career with KDPS please call (269) 337.8238 or email:

• Sgt. Fidel Mireles (mirelesf@kalamazoocity.org)
• Lt. Lakisha McMillon (mcmillonl@kalamazoocity.org)

By authority of: Lieutenant Lakisha McMillon

KALAMAZOO, Mich., March 28, 2023 — Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety today announced that it is using My90, a new community engagement tool from Axon.

Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety (KDPS) has launched a pilot program using Axon’s engagement platform, My90, as part of an ongoing commitment to enhance the quality of life for all by providing professional police, fire, and EMS service to the residents and visitors of Kalamazoo.

My90 is a tool used to engage the public, collect feedback, and improve outcomes following service calls. My90’s surveys generate constructive feedback and actionable insights, along with identifying specific ways to improve trust, safety, and equity when police contact occurs.  Community members use the My90 tool to provide valuable input while maintaining their privacy.  Agencies use My90 to better understand the impact they are having within their communities, from what is working well to what needs extra attention. Hours after a call for service, the caller will be texted a link where they are asked to fill out a survey regarding their experience with KDPS.    

Following a traffic stop, drivers will be handed a card with a QR Code, whereby they can give confidential feedback about their experience with KDPS in a 1-minute survey.

“Every day here at KDPS, we are working to improve transparency” said Public Safety Chief David Boysen. “This is just one of our many new partnerships that will help build a bridge of trust with community members and help us improve as a department. At the end of the day, keeping the community safe is our ultimate goal and we will continue to work towards that.” 

“We are excited to be working with the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety to advance their goal of enhancing the relationship between citizens and Public Safety while providing better services to their community,” says Kona Shen, Axon’s VP/GM of My90. “We know that this type of feedback can build trust, strengthen relationships, and improve safety and we admire Kalamazoo DPS’s commitment to using this feedback to serve their community.”

Axon (NASDAQ: AXON) acquired My90 in 2021 as part of its mission to protect life, capture truth, and accelerate justice and is the global leader in connected public safety technologies.

This program will go live on April 1st.

Learn more about the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety: https://kalamazoopublicsafety.org/

Learn more about My90: https://www.axon.com/products/my90

KALAMAZOO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY MEDIA CONTACT:

Jay Shatara

Public Information Officer 

269-762-2922

shataraj@kalamazoocity.org

AXON MEDIA CONTACT:

Corinne Clark

Public Relations Manager Media ONLY Hotline: (480) 444-4000 Press@axon.com

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