Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety
Encyclopedia
The Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety is the department in charge of police
, fire
and rescue in Kalamazoo, Michigan
. It is the largest public safety department
in the nation, with over 300 sworn officers. The Kalamazoo Public Safety Department was created in 1983 when the Kalamazoo Fire Department and the Kalamazoo Police Department merged.
and crime
. This mission includes, but is not limited to, the maintenance of order, the promotion of crime and fire prevention programs, the investigation of crimes leading to the apprehension of perpetrators, recovery of property, and the providing of emergency medical services
. The exploration of new ideas and concepts leading to improved services which optimize resources will be a high priority for department personnel. The promotion of good will, community respect, and confidence in Kalamazoo Public Safety will continue to be of the highest priority for all employees.
Administration:
This division headed by the Public Safety chief leads and manages all Public Safety operations.
Criminal Investigations:
This division investigates criminal complaints it also is in charge of operations of the Crime Lab.
Fire Marshal:
Investigation of Fire Scenes, charged with Fire Prevention, Fire Inspection and all fire operations.
Kalamazoo Valley Enforcement Team:
Multi-jurisdictional narcotics team
Office of Professional Standards:
Investigates complaints of officer misconduct.
Operations
Primary Response Force for police, fire and rescue services. Division composed of:
Recruiting:
Recruits officer's for Public Safety
Police
The police is a personification of the state designated to put in practice the enforced law, protect property and reduce civil disorder in civilian matters. Their powers include the legitimized use of force...
, fire
Fire department
A fire department or fire brigade is a public or private organization that provides fire protection for a certain jurisdiction, which typically is a municipality, county, or fire protection district...
and rescue in Kalamazoo, Michigan
Kalamazoo, Michigan
The area on which the modern city stands was once home to Native Americans of the Hopewell culture, who migrated into the area sometime before the first millennium. Evidence of their early residency remains in the form of a small mound in downtown's Bronson Park. The Hopewell civilization began to...
. It is the largest public safety department
Department of Public Safety
The Department of Public Safety , also called an Office of Public Safety, is a state or local government umbrella agency in the United States which serves to assist the certain agencies in their services by providing administrative, financial, and technical services and support for core public...
in the nation, with over 300 sworn officers. The Kalamazoo Public Safety Department was created in 1983 when the Kalamazoo Fire Department and the Kalamazoo Police Department merged.
Mission
The mission of Kalamazoo Public Safety is to provide for the safety and welfare of all citizens and visitors to the City of Kalamazoo and to protect them from the loss of life and property from the ravages of fireFire
Fire is the rapid oxidation of a material in the chemical process of combustion, releasing heat, light, and various reaction products. Slower oxidative processes like rusting or digestion are not included by this definition....
and crime
Crime
Crime is the breach of rules or laws for which some governing authority can ultimately prescribe a conviction...
. This mission includes, but is not limited to, the maintenance of order, the promotion of crime and fire prevention programs, the investigation of crimes leading to the apprehension of perpetrators, recovery of property, and the providing of emergency medical services
Emergency medical services
Emergency medical services are a type of emergency service dedicated to providing out-of-hospital acute medical care and/or transport to definitive care, to patients with illnesses and injuries which the patient, or the medical practitioner, believes constitutes a medical emergency...
. The exploration of new ideas and concepts leading to improved services which optimize resources will be a high priority for department personnel. The promotion of good will, community respect, and confidence in Kalamazoo Public Safety will continue to be of the highest priority for all employees.
Divisions
The department has many divisions.Administration:
This division headed by the Public Safety chief leads and manages all Public Safety operations.
Criminal Investigations:
This division investigates criminal complaints it also is in charge of operations of the Crime Lab.
- Crime Lab
-
- Processes Evidence in criminal investigations
Fire Marshal:
Investigation of Fire Scenes, charged with Fire Prevention, Fire Inspection and all fire operations.
Kalamazoo Valley Enforcement Team:
Multi-jurisdictional narcotics team
Office of Professional Standards:
Investigates complaints of officer misconduct.
Operations
Primary Response Force for police, fire and rescue services. Division composed of:
- K-9
- supports narcotics and operations divisions with K-9 services.
- Traffic Enforcement
- Enforces traffic laws.
- Honor Guard
- Represents public safety at parades, funerals and memorials.
- Special Weapons and Tactics
- High risk situations
- Community Public Safety
- Addresses Neighborhood issues.
- Explorers
- Composed of people aged 14-21 interested in a law enforcement career.
- Bomb Squad
- Disposes of explosive ordnance.
- Training
- Training of Public Safety staff
Recruiting:
Recruits officer's for Public Safety