Saginaw Charter Township Police Department Administration

Chief of Police Donald F. Pussehl Jr.

Patrol Operations Commander Lieutenant Martin R. Larsen

Investigations Division Commander Detective Lieutenant Gary P. Grauf

History of the Saginaw Township Police Department

The Saginaw Township Police Department grew from a constable's position in 1959 to a part time police department in 1963. At that time, the single officer worked closely with the Saginaw Township Fire Department. Through 1963, the department slowly began to take shape. Another officer was hired as part time, and initially was on call. The first police car was purchased in 1964. Also during that year, more officers were hired and the department began serving the citizens on a more regular basis. By 1965, the department had four full and five part time officers. These officers originally were deputized through the Saginaw County Sheriff Department in order to receive arrest powers. The police department was adopted by ordinance in 1972 and became a full time and full service operation.

The department grew quickly through the 1970's and continued some growth in the 1980's and 1990's. In 2007, four officers were added to the department to bring the number of sworn officers to 47.This includes the chief of police, two lieutenants, two investigative sergeants, four patrol sergeants, and one administrative sergeant. The department has 24 road patrol officers, 10 detectives, and 3 officers assigned to special duties.

In addition to the sworn personnel, the department also has 18 Police Crossing Guards, 3 Parking Enforcement officers, and 5 civilian support staff.

These personnel serve a community of approximately 40,000 people and cover about 26 square miles of commercial, residential, and farm lands.

Department Programs

The Saginaw Township Police Department is involved in several programs that affect all divisions within the department. Some officers are assigned to duties that are department related, such as District Resource, and School Resource. Others are assigned to area cooperative units like S.C.A.T.T. (Saginaw County Auto Theft Team), and BAYANET (Bay Area Narcotics Enforcement Team).

The department also is involved in several other programs. These include Police Explorers, Citizens Police Academy, Crime Free Multi Housing, District Resource Officers, which are assigned to the Crime Prevention Unit, and Bike Patrol. Some of these programs have been in use for some time, while others have been or are being instituted to help us become more in touch with the citizens of Saginaw Township. Other programs are still in development stages. Another program offered is the Crime Information Hotline (791-7233). The Hotline gives residents a daily update on crimes in their neighborhoods that are noteworthy.

One of the longest running in house programs we have is our E.M.T. (Emergency Medical Technician) Program. It was put in place in 1975 and is still a very strong presence in Saginaw Township. Many of our officers are Michigan State certified E.M.T.'s. The latest development in this area is the addition of several A.E.D.'s (Automatic External Defibrillators). These costly units were made available through donations by area residents and businesses, and through fund raising efforts of the Saginaw Township Police Officer's Association.

The Saginaw Township Police Department also maintains two other important programs, Police School Crossing Guards, and the Parking Enforcement Team. Our Crossing Guard unit has been in place for many years and has provided accident free service during that time. The Parking Enforcement Team has been valuable in ensuring that disabled citizens, both residents and visitors to the area, have proper parking afforded them when visiting businesses in our community.

To find out more about any of the programs noted above, please click on the keyed words.

Forward To Basics

The basic mission for which the police exist is to prevent crime and disorder.*

During the 2001 calendar year, the Saginaw Township Police Department will be involved with the citizens in our community in a "Forward To Basics" program. This program is based on several principles. Although not new in concept, these principles will work to reduce crime, and increase the quality of life in the community. In order for it to work, the police and the public need to work together. Our focus is to be creative in our techniques and approaches to preventing crime as opposed to the standard of being "call driven". The philosophy is to move residents, businesses, and the police department, toward a renewed sense of ownership within our neighborhoods, commercial areas, and the township as a whole. Since in this day and age, neither the police department nor the citizenry can solve crime problems by themselves, it is important to key on teamwork to reach our goals.

Police, at all times, should maintain a relationship with the public that gives reality to the historic tradition that the police are the public and the public are the police, the police being only members of the public who are paid to give full-time attention to duties which are incumbent on every citizen in the interests of community welfare and existence.*

As part of the program, officers will be assigned in teams consisting of road patrol officers, investigative detectives, and crime prevention detectives, to individual districts within Saginaw Township. The assignments will be for an unspecified length of time, The intent is for those officers to become more familiar with residents and businesses in those areas, and to garner a working partnership with them. In effect, this will become a township-wide community policing project.

Among the projects will be a revitalization of Neighborhood Watch programs, Crime Free Multi-Housing programs, and the Citizens Police Academy. All of these programs involves an active relationship between the police department and the public. By working together using these projects, crime can be reduced.

The ability of the police to perform their duties is dependent upon the public approval of police actions.*

* Sir Robert Peel, 1788-1850, Nine Principles of Modern Policing

Law Enforcement Oath Of Honor

On my honor,
I will never betray my badge,
my integrity, my character,
or the public trust.
I will always have the courage
to hold myself and others
accountable for our actions.
I will always uphold the constitution
and the community I serve.

Crime Information Hot Line:(989) 791-7233

Crime Information Tip Line:(989) 791-7226