Saginaw Police receive state accreditation; manager updates water tower, school engagement programs

The Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police presented the Michigan Law Enforcement Accreditation certificate to the Saginaw Police Department, recognizing the agency’s voluntary compliance with professional standards.

Ron Wiles, executive director of the association, congratulated the department and said accreditation is a time-tested process rooted in the voluntary compliance of about 128 professional standards. Matt Silverthorn, Accreditation Program Director, explained the multi-year process of policy review, assessor visits, interviews and ride-alongs and said Saginaw met all requirements to achieve accreditation.

Council and staff praised the police department for the accomplishment. The certificate was awarded effective in October and is valid for three years.

City manager Tim Madison provided updates on several operational items: the water-tower project is progressing though crews have found piping challenges in the city’s century-old system; the manager said the tower will be filled and tested in December and will be placed in service thereafter with site restoration to follow. He also said the Hancock Old Town parking ramp is finishing and should be open for holidays if contractor work is complete.

Madison reported the community-engagement coordinator in the fire department is expanding school-based programming (a level-1 curriculum for sixth graders with about 100 students targeted in initial rollouts) and described coordination with Saginaw Middle School and Success Academy.

Council asked technical questions about tower water recirculation, pumps, and pressure management; engineering staff described diurnal strategies and pump/valve operations to maintain fresh water and pressure. Council asked for more detailed reporting in upcoming meetings on the water project timeline and budget effects.

No formal action was taken on the items beyond public recognition and routine reporting.