The Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety is an organization that combines law enforcement and fire services into a unified organization with a goal of providing the highest level of professional public service to our community. Our diverse force, comprised of 257 employees, incorporates modern technology and comprehensive training techniques to enhance the organization’s overall effectiveness while continually striving to meet the challenges of the future.

We are responsible for meeting the needs of a community richly endowed with a wide range of ethnic and cultural diversity. We recognize the value of diversity within our own ranks as being absolutely necessary to carry out our roles as public servants.

As a fully combined Public Safety organization, our officers have opportunities to train in a wide variety of specialties. Officers aspiring toward promotional opportunities may progress upward into the supervisory ranks or specialized technical positions. Officers may serve as Criminal Investigators, Crime Laboratory Technicians, Neighborhood Liaison Officers, K-9 Handlers, and Drug Enforcement Investigators. Officers also have the opportunity to serve in special units, in addition to their primary assignments, such as the Honor Guard, Bomb Squad, and Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT).

The Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety is committed to a Community Public Safety service delivery model. Community involvement is a primary organizational goal. This approach is intended to enhance the relationship between citizens and Public Safety, facilitate an improved working environment, and assist in providing better services to our community.

Department Mission

The mission of the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety (KDPS) is to:

1. Reduce crime
2. Build and maintain trust
3. Provide the most efficient, effective, and professional public safety services available

Accomplishing these goals requires Public Safety to focus on six key areas:

1. Enforcement and investigation of criminal activity
2. Blight reduction in targeted neighborhoods to improve quality of life
3. On-going training of departmental personnel
4. Community Interaction
5. Internal process review, updating and development
6. Developing and maintaining strong community partnerships

Code of Ethics

“As a sworn Public Safety Officer of the City of Kalamazoo, my fundamental duty is to serve all citizens; to safeguard lives and property; to protect the innocent against deception, the weak against oppression or intimidation, and the peaceful against violence and disorder; and to respect the Constitutional rights of all persons to liberty, equality and justice.

I will keep my private life unsullied as an example to all; maintain courageous calm in the face of danger, scorn, or ridicule; develop self-restraint; and be constantly mindful of the welfare of others. Honest in thought and deed in both my personal and official life, I will be exemplary in obeying the laws of the land and the regulations of my department. Whatever I see or hear of a confidential nature, or that is confided to me in my official capacity will be kept secret unless revelation is necessary in the performance of my duties.

I will never act officiously or permit personal feelings, prejudices, animosities or friendships to influence my decisions. With no compromise for crime and with relentless prosecution of criminals, I will enforce the law courteously and appropriately without fear or favor, malice or ill will, never employing unnecessary force or violence, and never accepting gratuities.

I recognize the badge of my office as a symbol of public faith, and I accept it as a public trust to be held so long as I am true to the ethics of public safety service. I will constantly strive to achieve these objectives and ideals, dedicating myself before God to my chosen profession….. PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICER.”

Oath of Honor

Honor, Integrity and Respect are never betrayed. I will always hold myself and others accountable for having the courage to do the right thing.