Police chief reports fundraising, hires and upcoming community events

The Muskegon police chief reported at the Public Works and Safety Committee meeting July 21 on recent community and staffing developments. The chief said the Citizens Academy Alumni Association recently hosted a picnic and pig roast and raised more than $10,000 from its spring raffle; the association returns proceeds to support department needs. The department plans to participate in two community fundraisers in early August: Tunnels to Towers on Aug. 2 (a 5K at Veterans Park) and a canine-program fundraiser on Aug. 3; National Night Out is scheduled for Aug. 13. On staffing, the chief said the department has been short three officers for most of the year but will soon onboard four new hires: two recruits begin the police academy next week and two accepted offers will start Aug. 18. He noted recruits attend the academy from July through December and then complete field training that typically lasts until about May, so newly hired officers will not be fully deployed on patrol until late the following spring. The chief also reported that police cadets recently competed in a national event in California and placed second in some categories; Officer Miller and Officer Sartorius traveled with the cadets.