Community Policing
The Community Policing Unit uses non-traditional policing methods to problem solve within the community. Community Police Officers (CPOs) are assigned to every neighborhood within the City of Kalamazoo and maintain a line of communication with neighborhood directors and associations to address problems in a timely manner and provide support to local priorities and programs. CPOs also work closely with other City departments, such as Community Planning & Economic Development, and Public Services, to help address community concerns, which can be various and wide-ranging (from gun violence and quality of life complaints, to blight and traffic concerns).
CPOs also organize, host, and participate in several community engagement initiatives throughout the City, including block parties, the Kalamazoo Regional Citizens Academy, the Kalamazoo Police Athletic and Activities League (PAL), National Night Out, school visits, summer camps, and more.
Free Community Training
On top of neighborhood problem solving, CPOs provide free public education opportunities on an array of topics, mostly geared towards crime prevention and personal safety.
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
This two-hour training provides the information and skills needed to help adults, children, and infants during cardiac emergencies. Note, the offered CPR training uses the American Heart Association Friends & Family Program. This program does NOT include a CPR course completion card.
Request a Training
Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (CRASE)
This two-hour training course provides strategies, guidance, and plans to help civilians survive an active shooter event.
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Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED)
This individualized assessment provides input on using design and environmental elements to create defensible spaces to reduce victimization and deter criminal acts.
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Car Seat Installation
This individualized service connects you with a child passenger safety technician who will make sure your child's car seat is installed correctly and will teach you how to use and install a car seat on your own.
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School Resource Officer (SRO)
The School Resource Officer (SRO) is assigned to Loy Norrix High School. The SRO provides a daily presence at the school during the school year and focuses on mentoring and building lasting relationships with the youth in our community.
LGBTQ+ Police Liaison
Public Safety Officer (PSO) Christina Ellis serves as the LGBTQ+ Liaison for Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety (KDPS). PSO Ellis will be the KDPS point of contact for both members of the LGBTQ+ community and officers who interact with the community.
An LGBTQ+ police liaison serves as an accessible and friendly ear to the city’s LGBTQ+ community and elevates LGBTQ+ related concerns to the administration and other city officials.
PSO Ellis, a 25-year veteran of the department was most recently nominated and selected as a 2024 LGBTQ+ Leader Award recipient from the National Diversity Council where she was recognized as an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community in Kalamazoo and leadership excellence.