Kentwood, Michigan Police Station Information
According to the annual crime data, the crime rate in Kentwood, MI is 33% higher than the average of the whole of the state of Michigan, and when compared with the national average, is 11% higher than. When looking at violent crimes, Kentwood, MI has 30% lower than violent crime rate than Michigan average, while remaining 17% lower than the national average. In property crime, Kentwood, MI is 48% higher than the average of Michigan and is 16% higher than the national average.
Facts about crime in Kentwood, Michigan:
- The overall crime rate in Kentwood is 11% higher than the national average.
- For every 100,000 people, there are 8.64 daily crimes that occur in Kentwood.
- Kentwood is safer than 32% of the cities in the United States.
- In Kentwood you have a 1 in 32 chance of becoming a victim of any crime.
- The number of total year over year crimes in Kentwood has increased by 4%.
The men and women of the Kentwood Police Department continually strive to serve the citizens of Kentwood through a dedication to reducing serious crime, increasing traffic safety, and serving the community with excellence.
Patrol Division
The Patrol Division of the Kentwood Police Department is comprised of 35 officers who are responsible for the initial response to routine and emergency calls that occur in the City of Kentwood 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In addition, there are 7 sergeants who provide leadership, supervision and training for all patrol officers.
Patrol officers have various duties which include conducting initial and follow-up criminal investigations, enforcing traffic laws, investigating traffic crashes, arresting persons who have committed criminal offenses and those persons who have arrest warrants, testifying in court, and investigating suspicious persons and situations.
Services Division
The Detective Bureau falls under the Services Division of the Kentwood Police Department and is overseen by Captain Stephanie Morningstar. The Detective Bureau is separated into two units, General Case and Special Investigations. The General Case Unit is staffed with one sergeant, one clerk, and eight detectives. Six of the detectives in the unit are assigned to general and major case investigations. One detective is assigned to a multi-agency Combined Auto Theft Team (CATT). Another detective is assigned to the Metropolitan Fraud and Identity Theft Team (MFITT). Most original investigations are initiated and completed by the Patrol Division. When a crime has been committed, a report may be forwarded to the Detective Bureau for further investigation. Cases assigned to the General Case Unit generally conduct “reactive” investigations; meaning they receive a preliminary report from a patrol officer and, after determining the existence of certain factors within the report, conduct a follow-up investigation or submit it to the Prosecutor’s office to seek criminal charges. General case detectives are responsible for conducting continued investigations.
Specialized Units
Special Response Team
The Special Response Team falls under the direction of the Patrol Division of the Kentwood Police Department. This part-time team is currently comprised of one captain, two sergeants and ten officers. The assignment to the Special Response Team is voluntary for all members and is an extra assignment for all team members. The team is utilized during critical incidents and during the execution of high-risk search warrants. Team members receive additional monthly training and utilize specialized equipment.
Honor Guard
The Kentwood Police Department Honor Guard is a volunteer squad of sworn members of the Department who have been trained in ceremonial activities honoring the United States, the State of Michigan, the City of Kentwood and their representatives, and, on occasion, their fallen comrades.
The Kentwood Police Department participates in the Kent County Metro Honor Guard, along with the Grand Rapids, Walker, Wyoming, and Grandville Police Departments, Kent County Sheriff’s Department, East Grand Rapids Department of Public Safety and the Grand Rapids Community College Police Department. The Kentwood Police Department Honor Guard renders appropriate honors to police officers who have lost their lives and represents the Kentwood Police Department at formal and solemn occasions.
Bicycle Patrol
The Kentwood Police Department continually strives to serve the community with excellence. One such way this goal is accomplished is through our Bicycle Patrol Unit. Bicycle patrol is comprised of various officers who have been specifically trained in effective bicycle patrol tactics. Bike patrol allows for the Kentwood Police Department to create a presence in areas within the city, where patrol vehicles may be unable to travel, such as the various trails. This allows the interaction, and response to citizens concerns to be more efficient. The Bicycle Patrol Unit has demonstrated great success and has been a very vital addition to our department.
Motorcycle Unit
The Motorcycle Unit is housed within the Patrol Division of the Kentwood Police Department. It falls under the direction of the Patrol Captain with one Sergeant as its immediate supervisor. The Motorcycle Unit is comprised of two traffic specialists. The assignment to the Motorcycle Unit is voluntary and is considered an extra assignment. The unit operates from April through November of each year, depending on weather conditions. The motorcycle officers are highly encouraged to utilize the motorcycles as much as possible within the months of operation. The unit’s main function is traffic safety and enforcement. However, the unit is also utilized for parades, static displays, crowd control, and dignitary escorts. Motorcycle officers receive highly specialized and intense training on a yearly basis. While not the main focus of the unit, motorcycle officers can and will answer calls for service if the need presents itself.
Kentwood Police Department Address:
Thomas G. Hillen, Chief of Police
4742 Walma Ave SE,
Kentwood, MI 49512
Phone: (616) 698-6580
Email: hillent@kentwood.us
Correctional Facility
703 Ball Avenue NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Administration Phone: (616) 632-6400
Inmate Information Phone: (616) 632-6300
Mission Statement
“The Sheriff of Kent County and the Correctional Facility staff are dedicated to the safety and security of the community. The operations of this facility will be governed by the applicable State and Federal laws while maintaining the highest level of professionalism and service to the community.
Responsible inmate behavior will be encouraged by providing fair, impartial and humane treatment for all inmates. The safety and well being of all those incarcerated will be an ongoing objective.
The employees of this facility will be provided with the training, support and supervision necessary to keep a safe and professional environment.”
The Correctional Facility is a system of facilities that house the inmates committed to the custody of the Sheriff. In addition to these, the jail always has a small number of inmates out on Writs that are temporarily lodged in other jails or prisons.
The main jail employs the podular and dormitory housing designs to accommodate approximately 1,100 inmates of all security classifications. The facility is programmed for internal security to consist of a combination of direct and indirect supervision.
They are one of the few facilities in the country to have three state-of the-art integrated computer systems working simultaneously. We employ a Jail Management System which ties in with our live scan Identix fingerprint and Video Mugshot systems.
Kentwood, Michigan Jail:
Contact Information
Country: USA
Address 1: 4742 Walma Ave SE
City: Kentwood
State: Michigan
Zip Code: 49512-5220
County: Kent County
Phone #: 616-698-6580
Fax #: 616-698-6460
Additional Information
Type: Police Departments
Population Served: 46400
Number of Officers: 71
Police Records Request in Kentwood, Michigan
Requests for information under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) may be done in person during business hours at our Records Bureau, or by faxing your request to 616-698-6460. There may be additional costs for processing these requests. We do not release information on cases currently under investigation.
When making a request for a police report, please be as complete and thorough as possible to ensure that your request is processed in a timely manner. Your FOIA request will be completed within five (5) business days of receipt. If we cannot complete your request within that time frame, you will receive a notice of extension in which we will have up to another ten (10) business days to complete your request.
