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The Traffic Squad is an all volunteer organization operating under the auspices and direction of The Kent County Sheriff’s Department and Sheriff Larry Stelma.
Although The Traffic Squad is under the auspices of The Sheriff’s Department, it operates under its own constitution. The constitution provides the parameters for the duties, functions and operation of The Squad.
The constitution requires an Administrative Board to be the governing body of The Squad. It meets on monthly basis and is responsible for Squad policy and direction. The Board is elected annually, serving from June 1 through May 31.
The Captain is the Chief Executive Officer of The Squad and has typically served in various leadership capacities over several years. In addition to the Captain, there are 6 other positions on The Board and include the Past Captain, Senior Lieutenant, Secretary, Treasurer, Squad Programs Director and Community Services Director.
Reporting to The Board are 10 standing service units, each supervised by a Lieutenant appointed by The Board. These units include the following:
The Community Services Unit is responsible for The Squad’s involvement in community related programs that include among others, The Annual Halloween Children’s Safety Project, Shop With A Sheriff, Christmas in July for MI Veterans and various children safety and fund raising activities.
The Education Unit, oversees the structure and coordination of The Traffic Squad Reserve Officer Training Academy. All members applying for the Enforcement, IT Forensics Analysis and Mounted Units must successfully complete the academy, which runs on average 2 nights per week for approximately 6 months. We also open attendance at the academy to Reserve Officers from other West Michigan Law Enforcement agencies.
The Enforcement Unit is responsible for coordinating the various law enforcement responsibilities of The Squad including special events and road patrol duties.The Enforcement Lieutenant is assisted by the Parks and Marine Sergeant, who coordinates the scheduling of Enforcement Unit Officers to assist with the department’s Marine and Parks Police. This Enforcement Unit is currently limited to 55 officers.
The IT Forensics Analysis Unit is a highly specialized unit, assisting the Department’s Investigative Division in the areas of IT/Computer related “cyber crime”.
The Legislative Unit keeps the membership appraised of legislation impacting law enforcement and public safety and coordinates efforts with The Deputy Association of Michigan.
The Membership Unit coordinates the new member application process. This includes the application review, coordinating applicant interviews and completing all components of the in depth background investigations.
The Mounted Unit provides law enforcement and public relations services for the Sheriff’s Department as well as all law enforcement agencies in Kent County. It also has reciprocal service agreements with other Mounted Units in West Michigan. The unit currently has a limit of 15 Squad and 10 Full Time Deputies.
The Programs Unit is responsible for securing guest speakers at the monthly membership lunch meetings.
The Public Relations Unit coordinates with The Sheriff’s Department’s Chief Information Officer, all Squad media releases and public relations promotions.
The Training Unit establishes and coordinates with The Sheriff’s Department Training Unit all mandatory and optional continuing education for the Enforcement and Mounted Unit Officers.
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