The Dowagiac Police Department is a professional organization committed to serving the citizens of the City of Dowagiac. As our motto says, we work both for and with the people.

The Dowagiac Police Department realizes the importance of community involvement and participation to accomplish its mission, which is to enforce the law and create an environment of safety and security for all of the people who live, work, and visit in the City of Dowagiac. The department is committed to forging partnerships with all facets of the community and enhancing our service through this collaboration.

The department currently holds quarterly meetings with the Dowagiac Police Department Citizens Advisory Board. This is a board made up of citizens who apply to the Dowagiac City Council for participation on the board. The Dowagiac Police Department administration and officers meet with the Citizens Advisory Board to discuss problems and issues that the board members are experiencing in their respective neighborhoods. The department and board members work together to create strategic plans to address the issues.

Current Strength

The Dowagiac Police Department has a current strength of 14 sworn officers, one civilian administrative assistant and three (3) crossing guards. There are currently nine (9) officers assigned to the patrol division that work 12-hour shifts. One officer works a 10- hour shift as a relief officer to fill voids in the shifts created by vacation, sick and personal days. There are always two (2) officers on duty in the patrol division 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. The department has three (3) detectives assigned to the Cass County Drug Enforcement Team, or CCDET. The department also has a K9, Cessy, who is currently assigned to CCDET.

List of Services

The department offers many services to the citizens of Dowagiac. The department strives for innovation and is continually searching for new ways to enhance service to the public.

• Child Car Seat Technician
• RAD (Rape Aggression Defense) Instructor
• Drunken Driving/Teen Alcohol Use Presentations
• Drug Identification/Information Presentations
• Vacation Property Inspections
• Crime Prevention Inspections For Both Home and Business
• Bicycle Safety Presentations
• K-9 Presentations
• AARP Safe Driving Classes
• Crime Scene Technician Presentations
• CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) Available
• SERT (Student Emergency Response Team) Available
• Workplace Violence Presentation
• Traffic Safety Presentations
• Weekly Safety Education Article (SAFETY CORNER) in Local Newspaper

Community Events

The department also participates in several events to connect with the community. The department is based on community involvement and welcomes the chance to work with the people of Dowagiac. Highlighted below are some of the events that the Dowagiac Police Department either hosts or participates in:

• Public Safety Booth at Summer in the City event
• Cass County Safe Kids Car Seat Event
• Award Winning Traffic Safety Program
• Camp 911 Safe Kids Day
• CSI Academy
• Special Events Planning
• Smores Booth at Ice Time Festival
• Kids Easter Egg’stravaganza
• Halloween Trunk or Treat
• Shop With A Cop
• Fundraiser for Shop With A Cop

Collaborative Partnerships

The Dowagiac Police Department also partners with other law enforcement agencies within Cass County on several projects to keep the community safe. The department has three (3) detectives assigned to the Cass County Drug Enforcement Team, or CCDET. CCDET is a street level narcotics enforcement team that is made up of officers from the Dowagiac Police Department and Cass County Sheriff's Office. These officers work together to rid the streets of drugs and drug dealers who threaten the safety and security of our community by their actions.

The Dowagiac Police Department has three (3) officers that are assigned to the Cass County Warrant Service Team. This team is made up of officers from the Dowagiac Police Department and the Cass County Sheriffs Office. The warrant service team is a tactical team that is called into action to serve search and arrest warrants throughout Cass County.

Collaborative partnerships with the following organizations are crucial to the day to day safety efforts as well as emergency preparedness organization and planning for potential large scale emergency events.

• Cass County Emergency Management Office
• Cass County HAM Radio Operators
• Cass County CERT Program
• Cass County COA
• Dowagiac Union Schools
• Southwestern Michigan College
• Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital
• Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce
• Dowagiac Housing Commission

The City of Dowagiac and Cass County enjoy a history of exemplary collaboration to create a network of resources for community safety, security, and enhanced quality of life issues.

History

The Dowagiac Police Department has a long and proud tradition of service to the citizens of Dowagiac dating back 150 years. Dowagiac was granted its status as a village in 1857, with the police department being formed in 1860. The first Police Chief in Dowagiac was Peter Hannan who served several terms as chief since it was an elected position in those days.

Dowagiac has had several people serve as Police Chief in its history, however the exact number is not known. The most notable Chief of Police was George Grady, who served that role from 1965 to 1974. Chief Grady is the first African American to serve as a Police Chief in the State of Michigan. The current Director of Public Safety is Thomas Atkinson, who has been serving in that role since 1997.

In 2009, the Dowagiac Police Department underwent an administrative transformation from a traditional police department to a public safety department. Chief Atkinson was promoted to the newly formed Director of Public Safety position and a Deputy Police Chief was named. The Dowagiac Police and Fire Departments both operate as separate departments, however, each department is led by the Director of Public Safety.

Through the years the Dowagiac Police Department has always stood for pride, integrity, and justice. This tradition of excellence continues to this day.

Contact Information

To obtain copies of police or accident reports, you may contact the administrative assistant
M-F, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. A written FOIA (Freedom Of Information Act) request is required for all police reports and a response to the request will be given within five business days beginning the day after the request is made. The cost for a police report is $.50 each for the first two pages and $.25 for subsequent pages. The cost for an accident report is $4.00 and the cost for fingerprints is $10.00.

• Public Sex Offender Registry
• Michigan State Police
• Department of Natural Resources
• Offender Tracking Information System