KDPS is thankful for the outpouring of support after today's incident. Above all, we are grateful that our officer is going to be okay and for all of the brave men and women who worked tirelessly to resolve this incident. Their heroic actions on a daily basis do not go unnoticed.
Gone, but not forgotten. Please help us remember PSO Eric Zapata today who gave his life 7 years ago while responding to a call for help by another officer. Not a day goes by where we don't remember his smile, crazy antics, and his amazing dedication to our community. 11611
Retirement day! Today was K9 Jax's last day of work after 9 years of service to KDPS. He had over 200 career catches and assisted in the detection and seizure of over $56,000 of narcotics. Enjoy your retirement buddy- you've earned it!
#goodboyclub
🚨PSA🚨
The Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety (KDPS) has responded to over a dozen overdoses and five deaths in the past 24 hours from a deadly batch of fentanyl in our community. 🧵
We are happy to say after 5 hours in the Emergency Animal Hospital, and a 40% loss of blood, K9 Sledge will make a recovery! Thank you to everyone who helped us in this process and kept us in your thoughts!
Tonight, one of our K9’s was stabbed during the apprehension of a suspect. The K9 is on its way to receive medical care and the suspect is in custody.
Please keep our K9 in your thoughts tonight 🙏 we will update as we get more information.
Tonight, one of our K9’s was stabbed during the apprehension of a suspect. The K9 is on its way to receive medical care and the suspect is in custody.
Please keep our K9 in your thoughts tonight 🙏 we will update as we get more information.
Do you know this person?
After an investigation detectives determined that the fire at planned parenthood was intentionally set and caused minor damages.
KDPS, in partnership with our local and federal partners, continues to work on this case. (1/2)
A third warming shelter is being opened in Kalamazoo. It will be at the Douglass Community Association, 1000 W Paterson. It will be open at a minimum thru Thursday morning, staffed 24 hours a day. Please share.
Please avoid the downtown Kalamazoo area. Officers are responding to multiple vandalism complaints in the area and meeting significant resistance from agitators.
#staysafekzoo
Today we say goodbye to K9 Bodi who has served KDPS for the past 7 years. He's going to enjoy retirement with his K9 handler Scott Brooks. Thank you for your service Bodi and enjoy your retirement!
Kzoo Business Owners: KDPS is committed to keeping your businesses safe while you comply with the "Stay Home Stay Safe" Executive Order. We have been doing lots of business checks to ensure your business is secure. Last night alone officers did 384 checks of local businesses!
We're excited to help out with the Luke Bryan concert tomorrow night in Richland! We remind concert goers to drive safe, be patient and drink responsibly. Say hi if you see us!
#farmtour2019
#whatmakesyoucountry
#thisishowweroll
While training recently, K9 handler Reiser noticed this deer had gotten tangled in an old soccer net. After a short struggle the deer was free and back in the wild.
At KDPS, we’re here to help... and that includes the deer in our community.
We distributed over 11,000 meals today at our 24 sites. We’re increasing the amounts for Friday in response to a larger turnout today. Friday’s bags will have three-days worth of breakfast and lunch. Instructional packets are being distributed, too. Thanks workers and volunteers!
The City of Kalamazoo is doing our best to keep the streets clear and safe for motorists. Please help us by abiding by the parking restrictions to accommodate plowing.
Walking around Candy Cane Lane and all the fun downtown activities can be exhausting... Good thing we have awesome partners who can provide us with a little pick me up!
#wearepublicsafety
#wegotyourback
#literally
Meet CPO Jeff Townsend!
PSO Townsend was born and raised in the City of Kalamazoo. He joined KDPS 4 years ago and serves as the Eastside neighborhood CPO. “I am looking forward to building healthy, strong relationships in the City.”
#wearekdps
Big changes for the KDPS K9 team this week; PSO Pittelkow was promoted to Sgt and her partner, K9 Nero retired! Both the promotion of Kelly and retirement of Nero were well deserved!
K9 Nero, thanks for your years of service and dedication to KDPS and the citizens of Kzoo!
Kalamazoo curfew is in effect. Multiple announcements have been made in the downtown area. During the curfew individuals walking, running, standing or using all modes of transportation upon City streets, alleys, roads, highways, and public property is prohibited between 7pm-5am.
Happy to partner with KCSD and local 1st responders for Shop with a Hero tonight
@meijer
! Some very deserving kids had the opportunity to do some free Christmas shopping!
#tistheseason
#wearepublicsafety
KDPS currently has 19 legacy officers. These are officers who’ve had their parent, grandparent, or direct family member serve and retire from KDPS. This is a great testament to the values of our department and the dedication of the officers shown.
#onefamilyonebadge
#kdpslegacy
We're proud to have so many dynamic women – both sworn and unsworn – on our team. Women represent 18% of our officers - higher than the national average of 12%. Thanks for all you do to keep our city safe, ladies.
#seestrongbestrong
#seeherbeher
#WomensHistoryMonth2021
KDPS was honored to host Colonel Joseph Gasper and members of the
@MichStatePolice
at HQ today. While here, they spoke with Chief Karianne Thomas about some amazing programs and initiatives going on in Kzoo and toured our new strategic operations center. Thanks for visiting!
Officers have been making their rounds at local elementary schools to introduce themselves and welcome the kiddos to school!
#wearepublicsafety
#seestrongbestrong
KDPS officers are reporting no significant injuries or damage within the City from the storms. PSOs are diligently assisting surrounding agencies as they continue to respond to calls for service from the storms. The best way to assist emergency responders is to stay home.
The K9 team would like to announce two new additions to the KDPS K9 team. Meet K9 Ozzy/PSO Corstange and K9 Echo/PSO Cole.
K9 Ozzy is a 1 year old German Sheppard from Hungary.
K9 Echo is a 1.5 year old Belgian Malinois/German Sheppard mix from the Czech Republic.
Meet CPO Catrice Lockett!
PSO Lockett joined KDPS in 2016 and has served as a patrol officer, school resource officer and community policing officer. She serves as the Downtown CPO.
#wearekdps
Thanks to
@Target
for sponsoring the Shop with a Hero event tonight! We had a great time with area first responders and some great kiddos!
#wearepublicsafety
KDPS was blessed this week with an anonymous donation that allowed us to sponsor the 1st annual KDPS Shop with a Senior event. Local area seniors were given the opportunity to fill their shopping carts with much needed food resources while partnered with a
@KalamazooCity
rep!
Kalamazoo is experiencing heavy flooding due to the rainfall. Several intersectons and areas are impassable. Traffic will be impacted this morning . Avoid these areas. Give yourself extra time for your commute. Do NOT attempt to drive thru standing water.
#staysafekalamazoo
Our top priority is keeping our residents, businesses and city safe at all times.
KDPS has no evidence that shows there are any protests planned for Kalamazoo on inauguration day. However, we have a plan and will be ready to respond if a situation arises on Wednesday and beyond.
Nehemiah wants to be a firefighter and is planning a fire safety presentation with his class! Sgt Noble and Nehemiah had lunch today as part of our Big with Badges program thru Big Brothers Big Sisters.
#futurefirefighter
#kdps
The scouting report on Brax just dropped:
- Really fast if you throw the ball (or his chew toy) first
- Has experience in chase downs
- Everyone in the locker room loves him
- Will sack the Quarterback if he gets a treat after
What do you say 🤷♂️
@CoachLT39
@WMU_Football
Even
@KalPublicSafety
's residential good boy Brax was all smiles during Western's win against Central!
Then again, he might've just heard their team motto and thought it was dinner time🤷♂️
#EAT
Meet Sgt. Andy Werkema! Sgt. Werkema is a second-generation Public Safety Officer who has served with KDPS for 9 years. He looks forward to leading the CPO Unit while engaging with the community by building strong relationships and having a proactive approach to problem solving.
I needed a stand for my social distancing microphone pole. Well thanks to
@KalPublicSafety
🤣 they made me a stand using a clip board, duck tape, pen and some other stuff!🤣🤦🏾♂️Gotta love them lol!!
#SocialDistance
@wwmtnews
Public Service Announcement ‼️‼️‼️– Downed Trees and Power Lines
Public Service crews are currently responding to numerous calls referencing downed trees.
Various teams have been assigned to address these issues in addition to winter maintenance issues. (1/2)
We're excited to introduce two new
#K9
officers and their four-legged paw-tners! K9 Officer Max Houtman is paired with Sledge, a 1-year-old Dutch Shepherd, and K9 Officer Emily Weston is paired with Groot, a 1-year-old German Shepherd.
#wearekdps
Meet CPO Alex Marshall! PSO Marshall joined KDPS 6 years ago after serving as an EOD Technician in the US Army. CPO Marshall will serve as the Edison and Milwood neighborhood CPO.
#wearekdps
Have you had the opportunity to meet your neighborhood Community Policing Officer? Our CPOs focus on outreach, education, and enforcement initiatives within the community. This week KDPS will be highlighting our Community Policing Officers.
#wearekdps
We were called downtown for a report of a man carrying a suspicious device on his chest.
Please avoid the area near the downtown mall near South/Burdick as we continue to work the area to determine what has occurred. (1/2)
Thanks to the kiddos and staff at the Youth Development Center for inviting us to a Dodgeball game today. A bigger thanks to them for taking it easy on us!
#weold
#teamkdps
#seestrongbestrong
Today, we wanted to take a moment to recognize a few amazing women who sit on some of our community’s most important boards.
Today we will highlight Tammy Taylor, who has served as Executive Director of Edison Neighborhood Association, better known as ENA, for Over 20 years.
Join us ONLINE on 4.18.20 as we honor PSO Eric Zapata, who was killed in the line of duty on 4.18.11. KDPS will be Live on Facebook at 12 pm for a Memorial Service in EZ's honor. We encourage everyone to watch the event online and show your support in the comments section.
#11611
Last night we had the honor of welcoming home 79 veterans from their trip to Washington DC. Talons Out Honor Flight lets veterans travel to DC to visit war memorials at no cost to them. It's always an amazing experience and welcoming them home is the least we can do.
#ThankAVet
KDPS officers did the '19 Murph challenge. This yearly challenge is to honor the sacrifice & memory of Navy Lieutenant Michael Murphy, who was killed in Afghanistan June 28th, 2005.
2019 Murph:
1 mile run
100 pull ups
200 push ups
300 air squats
1 mile run
#memorialdaymurph
Congratulations to Officer Vandenberg as he finished 1st place in the State of Michigan! The team also put on a commendable overall performance. Way to represent Kalamazoo!
Kalamazoo Public Safety wishes Officers Leonard, P. Morgan, Nieboer, Vandenberg, and Lt. Nielsen good luck as they compete in the Firefighter Combat Challenge that is being held today in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
As National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day comes to a close, we say THANK YOU to all the men and women who have answered the call, for the self-less service they have shown and for their endless dedication to our profession. 💙
#wearepublicsafety
#thankyouforyourservice
KDPS is aware of recent social media posts about an active shooter/mass criminal activity in the Detroit, Kzoo, GR, BC and Lansing areas. This post is a HOAX and none of the agencies are responding to any similar incidents.
#staysafekzoo
Meet CPO Levi Stace! WMU Officer Stace is currently assigned to the KDPS CPO Unit and servs the WMU Campus and Knollwood neighborhoods. Officer Stace has been with WMU for 5 years after graduating from MSU.
At approximately 9:15 a.m. this morning the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety responded to a call of shots fired at the Kalamazoo Transportation Center on North Burdick Street. KDPS officers arrived and encountered an active shooter situation.
Roads are slick and PSOs are responding to multiple accidents. Slow down. Give yourself extra time. Stay off the roads if possible.
#drivesafekzoo
#gohomewinter
Meet CPO DeMonte Spann!
PSO Spann joined KDPS 5 years ago and serves as the Northside CPO. “Let’s improve Kalamazoo together, just let me know what you need from me to better assist you.”
#wearekdps
A huge CONGRATS to Officers Michael Arnett, Gabriela Avila and Travis Cutler who were sworn in as fully empowered law enforcement officers today. We're so excited to see where their careers take them.
He was sent to the hospital with significant injuries. We are asking the community to keep PSO Maher and his family in your prayers as everyone navigates this difficult time ❤️ (2/2)
Good luck to
@WMU_Football
on the upcoming 🏈 season! The Broncos will take on St. Francis tonight at 7 p.m. at Waldo Stadium.
If you are going to the game tonight, please be aware of your surroundings and stay safe!
@WMUPublicSafety
Public service crews are addressing downed trees. If you see a downed power line stay 25 feet away. DO NOT TOUCH THE LINE. Report it by calling 911 and
@ConsumersEnergy
Happy Memorial Day from KDPS! The Honor Guard, Traffic Unit, and Motorcycle Unit marched in today’s downtown parade.
Today we remember those who gave their lives to serve our country 🇺🇸
#ThankYou
#WeAreKDPS
Starting June 30th, it is illegal to manually use a cell phone or other mobile electronic device while operating a vehicle on Michigan roads.
Please watch the video below (featuring some incredible acting) and click the link below to get up to speed!
We are pleased to announce the promotion of Aaron Jackson, John Khillah and Fidel Mireles II to the position of Sergeant, and assigned to the Operations Division. Congratulations gentlemen. Keep up the good work.
#weareKDPS
After investigation, it turns out someone who lives in a building downtown was working out with a weighted workout vest.
Below is a picture of a weighted workout vest for example. Disclaimer, this is not the exact vest worn - just clarification how it can be mistaken! (2/2)