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Public Safety
For Emergencies, Phone 911 Now
Public Safety is the combination of police protection, fire protection and emergency medical response. All Ionia Public Safety officers have received police training, fire training, and medical first responder training.
Meet the Public Safety Director
Troy Thomas has been with the Department for 32 years. He started as a part-time Officer in 1989 and became full-time in August 1990. In June 2000, he was promoted to Uniform Sergeant and then Deputy Director in March 2010. He was named Interim Director in February of 2012, and permanent Director in July of 2012.
Accomplishments
During his tenure as Public Safety Director, he has created the Department's first K-9 Unit, a partnership with Ionia Township for part-time Police coverage, purchased a boat and training for swift water rescue on the Grand River, and the recent acquisition of an Explosive Detection Dog in a partnership with Flex-N-Gate Corporation.
Agency Jurisdiction
The agency's jurisdiction is limited to the corporate city limits for police matters, with the exception of covering Ionia Township for 20 hours per week. The jurisdiction for fire and medical service expands to two surrounding townships (Easton and Ionia). The City of Ionia has provided fire service to the two townships through formal contracts since the 1940s.
Our Mission
The Ionia Department of Public Safety will provide the community with a safe and secure environment through the enforcement of laws, fire suppression, emergency rescue, education, and medical aid to those in need. The Department will provide these services to all residents, visitors, and businesses throughout our community.
Vision Statements
- Provide police services to the community through an integrated “Community Policing” effort that increases personal contacts with youth, adults, and the elderly. Increase community involvement through foot patrol, community education and the Department Facebook page.
- Continue to expand community education through our D.A.R.E. and other school programs along with programs for adults and the elderly.
- Provide fire prevention education programs that will continue to lower the incident of fire within our community.
- Provide fire suppression, medical, and rescue services to the community with trained staff, the newest technologies and equipment, and professionalism.
- Coordinate specialized programs that enrich the community, such as: Halloween candy checks, Camp with a Cop, parade and special event services, school crossing guards, vacation checks on homes, and participation in public recreation programs.
- Provide public safety through a staff that is professional, well trained, and portrays a positive attitude and image to the community.
- Keep up with technological advances and ever-changing techniques through the purchase of equipment, education, and training of staff, and networking with peers.
Values Statements
- Provide the safest environment at all times for the staff including not only day to day operations, but also in times of emergencies and unexpected events.
- The Department will cultivate a work environment that provides a positive and supportive environment that focuses on teamwork as well as the individual needs of each of the staff members.
- The staff will greet the public in a courteous manner, with a positive attitude, and according to the professional policies of the Department.
- The staff will be provided with a means for personal educational development, professional skills development and advancement, including professional certification, ranks, and technological advancements.
The Ionia Department of Public Safety does not do criminal background checks, but they may be done through the Michigan State Police ICHAT. The link can be found here.
Requests for finger prints must be made in advance. An appointment for inked finger prints may be made by contacting Ionia DPS. Cost for finger prints are $10 per card and payment can be made by cash, check or money order. Credit or Debit card payments can not be accepted. Ionia DPS does not do Live Scan prints.
Each officer carries fire gear in their patrol unit and in the event there is a fire, the officer will then respond in the role of a firefighter. Ionia DPS provides fire coverage to the City of Ionia, Easton Township and Ionia Township.
On-Call Firefighters
In addition to our full-time Public Safety Officers, our agency also employs several paid on-call firefighters. These individuals serve as a very important part of our organization.
All of our officers and several firefighters are trained as emergency medial responders. Ionia DPS provides emergency medical services to The City of Ionia, Easton Township and Ionia Township.
Downtown District
Available parking in the Downtown District includes both street-side parking and several parking lots. Most street-side parking downtown is designated as two-hour parking. However, there are a couple of exceptions. Downtown parking lots are designated as either 2-hour parking or 10-hour parking.
Each parking lot and each street-side parking area in the Downtown District contain street signs that list the parking hours in their respective area. Parking may be enforced in the Downtown District between 8 am and 5 pm, Monday through Saturday.
Residential District
Most areas in the Residential District allow for parking on at least one side of the street. Those areas where parking is prohibited are posted with street signs indicating so.
Odd / Even Parking
Odd / Even Parking is in effect from December 1 through March 31 between 7 and noon. The purpose of the ordinance is to allow for proper snow removal on both sides of the street in winter months. This ordinance states that city residents and visitors shall park on the odd-numbered side of the street on the odd-numbered days of the month and on the even-numbered side of the street on the even-numbered days of the month.
Upon request, the department gives tours of its facility to organizations such as Head Start, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and other local groups including daycare centers. The tours often include a close look at the police vehicles and fire trucks as well as information regarding personal safety and fire safety. Please contact Ionia DPS at least one week in advance to schedule your tour.
K9 Officer Jennifer Skorka serves as the department's School Liaison Officer. Officer Skorka is partnered with K9 Titan and spends her day at the Ionia High School where she walks the hallways, patrols the parking lots, and handles any criminal activity involving students on campus. Officer Skorka provides presentations to students involving topics such as personal safety, bullying, and other legal issues. Officer Skorka also spends time at the middle and elementary schools within the city assisting in conflict resolution, eating lunch, and joining the students on the playground.
The City of Ionia has four early warning sirens. The sirens have been strategically placed in an attempt to assure that everyone in the community will be able to hear them. The sirens are tested at Noon, on the first Saturday of each month beginning April through September.
Responding
Should you hear the sirens during any other time, this may signal adverse weather and you should seek shelter immediately. After you have done so, please monitor either your radio or television for updates. We do not sound an all-clear signal after a weather event.
Complete the Vacation Security Check Form and Public Safety will strive to check your property while you are on vacation or while the premises are vacant. By completing this form, you authorize officers to enter onto your property or into your residence if it is found to be unsecured. Please submit your request at least one week in advance.
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Troy Thomas
Public Safety DirectorPhone: 616-527-4431, ext. 5151
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Public Safety
Physical Address
239 E Adams Street
Ionia, MI 48846
Phone: 616-527-4431Emergency Phone: 911
Hours
Monday through Friday
8 am to noon
1 to 4 pm.Additional Contacts
If you need assistance at any other time, there is a call box on the outside of our building.
- For emergencies, contact 911.
- For non-emergencies, contact dispatch at 616-527-0400.
Please note: Dispatch should be contacted for police assistance requests, to file a complaint of a criminal nature, or to report a vehicle accident, etc.