Canton Township unveils 20252029 police strategic plan centering on staffing, training and technology

Canton Townshipfs police department presented its 20252029 strategic plan at a Board of Trustees study session on Dec. 17, saying the document is "driven by our people" and prioritizes staffing, training, technology and community partnerships.

Chief Chad Baugh opened the presentation and said the plan reflected input from officers, civilian staff, unions and external stakeholders. "This is a strategic plan that's driven by our people," Baugh said, noting the department intends the plan to guide operations from 2025 through 2029 and to include accountability measures and metrics.

Captain Kevin Byley, who led the planning team, described the document's three-part structure — goals, objectives and strategies — and said the full plan would be posted online shortly after the meeting. The teamfs internal review found strengths in "professionalism, reputation and training," while staffing shortages emerged as the top weakness.

The plan sets six broad goals: maintain service levels through adequate staffing; promote officer development and well-being; increase physical resources and facility capacity; improve efficiency through technology and process changes; strengthen external partnerships; and enhance internal and external communications. Specific proposals include a comprehensive staffing analysis and projection model, recruitment partnerships with local colleges, expanded training in crisis intervention and deescalation, a mentorship program, mental-health supports for officers, and facility improvements such as lactation and trauma-recovery rooms.

Lieutenant Adam Shulman, who presented the staffing and recruitment strategies, outlined objectives to "assess and identify staffing needs," enhance recruitment campaigns using social media and community forums, and engage partner organizations to diversify hiring. On retention and training, the plan calls for expanded professional development, a peer-support network and regular wellness checks.

Technology and equipment were recurring themes. Chief Baugh warned that cyberthreats and evolving technologies will require ongoing investment and adaptation: at one point the department was "taking hits about 8,000," he said, when describing attempts to penetrate systems. The plan recommends procurement and maintenance schedules for body-worn cameras, radios and digital storage, and explores regional partnerships to extend technical capacity.

Lieutenant Shulman described the departmentfs drone program as composed of sworn personnel with "12 pilots, 3 drones" and said the department is in talks with AirspaceLink about possible testing and regional integration. Trustees and staff discussed recent incidents reported elsewhere that underscored the need for clear drone policies and coordinated airspace rules.

Trustees and community stakeholders also discussed mental-health partnerships and diversion options. Chief Baugh said officers can recommend mental-health court or diversion but noted prosecutors control charging; staff agreed to follow up on opportunities tied to Judge O'Learyfs grant and to explore court partnerships.

Resident Rohit Singhal raised technology risks in a public comment, recounting an instance of a company CFO being targeted with AI voice cloning to request a wire transfer: "They had not only cloned his number, they had cloned that person's voice," Singhal said, warning that such tools are already being misused.

Trustees praised the plan and offered support on recruitment, budgeting and community outreach. Several trustees asked staff to return in the fall with progress assessments tied to township budget priorities.

The plan does not enact new policy at the meeting; trustees received the presentation, asked questions and expressed support. The full strategic plan document was to be posted online following the session, and police leaders said they will bring accountability metrics and implementation timelines back to the board for review.

Procedural actions taken at the meeting were limited to routine housekeeping: appointment of Treasurer Slavens as temporary clerk, adoption of the meeting agenda, and a motion to adjourn, each adopted by voice vote.