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

  1. 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.
  2. Continue to expand community education through our D.A.R.E. and other school programs along with programs for adults and the elderly. 
  3. Provide fire prevention education programs that will continue to lower the incident of fire within our community.
  4. Provide fire suppression, medical, and rescue services to the community with trained staff, the newest technologies and equipment, and professionalism.
  5. 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.  
  6. Provide public safety through a staff that is professional, well trained, and portrays a positive attitude and image to the community.
  7. 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

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. The staff will greet the public in a courteous manner, with a positive attitude, and according to the professional policies of the Department.
  4. 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.