Kalamazoo, MI – Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety (KDPS) is pleased to announce the promotion of Captain Vernon Coakley Jr. to the position of Assistant Chief. Assistant Chief Coakley is a 24-year law enforcement veteran whereby he started his career with the City of Detroit Police Department in 1993 and for the past 19 years has risen through the ranks at KDPS. Assistant Chief Coakley holds a Bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University (WMU) in General Studies where he attended on a football scholarship. He was a part of the 1988 MAC Champion WMU Broncos Team (California Bowl) and Team Captain in 1989. Assistant Chief Coakley also holds a Master’s degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Ferris State University. Assistant Chief Coakley completed the Senior Management Institute for Police Program and is scheduled to attend the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) National Academy in 2018. Assistant Chief Coakley is married and has three children.

By authority of: Karianne Thomas, Deputy Public Safety Chief

Date: October 31, 2017
Address: 150 E. Crosstown Pkwy., Suite A, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
Contact: Jeffrey Hadley, Public Safety Chief (269) 337-8123