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MUSKEGON
POLICE DEPARTMENT
2022 Annual Report
OUR MISSION
To reduce the perception and incidence of crime and enhance the quality of life for the citizens and
guests of the City of Muskegon, through community partnerships and professional police services,
while holding ourselves to the highest degree of accountability and ethical behavior.
OUR VALUES
• We must demonstrate compassion for all people and render services with respect, dignity, and
courtesy.
• Promote a proactive community policing philosophy by encouraging and supporting citizen
involvement.
• Enhance organizational excellence through education, training, and technology.
• Promote job satisfaction and employee cohesiveness through open communication and
participation in decision making.
2022 Annual Report
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ADMINISTRATION………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………3
Budget…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….4
Personnel………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..5
New Employees/Promotions…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..6
Law Enforcement Accreditation………………………………………………………………………………………………………………7
Training………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..8-9
Internal Affairs……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….10
ROAD PATROL…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..11
Calls for Service……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..11
Crime Statistics…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………12-15
Traffic Crash Summary…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..16
Traffic Enforcement Summary……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….17
SPECIAL SERVICES……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..18
Neighborhood Policing Unit…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..18
Christmas Food Basket Deliveries.…………………………………………………………………………………………………………19
Muskegon High School Last Day of School Event…………………………………………………………………………………..20
Bike Rodeo………….………………………………..………………………………………………………..…………………………………….21
Crime Activity Team………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………22
Honor Guard………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….23
INVESTIGATIONS……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….24
West Michigan Enforcement Team………………………………………………………………………………………………………..25
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2022 Annual Report
Administration
The Muskegon Police Department is under the leadership of the Director of
Public Safety Timothy Kozal. The Director provides administrative control,
establishes and implements policy for fiscal and operational control, and
personnel management. The department has the following responsibilities:
• Demonstrating compassion for all people and rendering services with
respect, dignity and courtesy.
• Promoting a pro-active community policing philosophy by encouraging
and supporting citizen involvement.
• Enhancing job satisfaction through community education, training, and
technology.
• Promoting job satisfaction and employee cohesiveness through open communication and
participating in decision making.
The Muskegon Police Department provides law enforcement and policing functions for a 26 square mile
area, including a variety of restaurants, retail stores, schools, industries, and residential neighborhoods.
The department is committed to a community policing philosophy. In addition to Road Patrol Officers
and an Investigations Bureau, the Muskegon Police Department also has a Neighborhood Policing Unit
where Officers are assigned to each of the neighborhood association areas within the City of Muskegon.
They provide crime prevention training for residents and students and also participate in a number of
community events designed to increase positive interaction between the police and the community.
The Muskegon Police Department works with residents on quality of life issues and may bring in or refer
issues to other agencies as needed.
2022 was a year of leadership transition for the department. Director of Public Safety Timothy Kozal
took over for retired Director of Public Safety Jeffrey Lewis in August. Promotions were completed to fill
vacancies for the Investigations Captain, Administrative Captain, two Road Patrol Lieutenants, and three
Road Patrol Sergeants. Leadership was provided training, which included First Line Supervision, First
Line and Mid-Level Supervisor, Shield Leadership Institute Command Level 1, Freedom of Information
Act, Communicating in a Crisis, Media and Public Relations, Public Labor Law and Effective Grievance
Processing, and Police Executives’ and New Chiefs’ School.
The Muskegon Police Department is looking forward to 2023 and continuing successful partnerships
with the neighborhood associations, area schools, Downtown Development Authority, Social Justice
Commission, local youth, citizens of the City of Muskegon, etc. Through community partnerships and
professional police services, the Muskegon Police Department strives to reduce the perception and
incidence of crime and enhance the quality of life for the citizens and guests of the City of Muskegon.
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2022 Annual Report
Budget Expenditures
The Muskegon Police Department invested in a Capital Budget item that modernized the training of the
department with the purchase of the PoliceOne Academy.
PoliceOne Academy-The PoliceOne Academy offers 24/7 access to must-have training from more than
160 of the most renowned instructors in law enforcement. Officers have more than 800 high definition
training videos and 150 hours of full length and training block courses to choose from covering topics
like ethics, racial profiling, emotional and psychological disorder, active shooter, and subject control.
The department purchased a subscription service to PoliceOne Academy at an expense of $4,275/year.
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2022 Annual Report
Personnel
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2022 Annual Report
New Employees
The Muskegon Police Department hired a new Director of Public Safety in 2022. In addition, seven full-
time Officers, one part-time Officer, two-full time Parking Enforcement Officers, and one full-time
Records Staff were hired in 2022.
Director of Public Safety Jeffrey Lewis, one Captain, one Sergeant, and three Officers resigned or retired
from the department in 2022. The Muskegon Police Department currently employs sixty-nine full-time
Officers and four part-time Officers.
Promotions
Tim Bahorski was promoted to Investigations Captain. Scott Zonnebelt was promoted to Administrative
Captain. Trevor Gerlach and Logan Anderson were promoted to Road Patrol Lieutenants. Scott
Hepworth, Jeremy Velik, and John Burns were promoted to Road Patrol Sergeants.
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2022 Annual Report
Law Enforcement Accreditation
The Muskegon Police Department was awarded the distinction of accreditation in February of 2021
through the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police (MACP). Law enforcement accreditation is a self-
initiated, voluntary process and is based on standards which are reflective of best practices in law
enforcement.
The Michigan Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission (MLEAC) establishes the professional best
practice standards for departments, as well as ensures the agency is following those standards by
conducting a comprehensive on-site assessment. The Muskegon Police Department was required to
produce proof to the MLEAC during the assessment to ensure that the standards and written directives
were being followed.
Accreditation is a commitment to excellence in law enforcement and is considered a significant
professional achievement. Through accreditation the Muskegon Police Department hopes to:
• Increase public confidence, transparency, and accountability in the agency.
• Strengthen understanding of agency policies and procedures by agency personnel.
• Decrease susceptibility to litigation and civil court settlements.
• Potentially reduce liability insurance costs.
• Provide state and local recognition of professional competence.
Currently, out of the 588 police agencies in Michigan, 58 are accredited through MLEAC. The Muskegon
Police Department and the Norton Shores Police Department are the only agencies accredited in
Muskegon County. Re-accreditation takes place every three years, which the Muskegon Police
Department will be seeking in 2024.
In 2022, Muskegon Police Department Accreditation Manager Scott Zonnebelt was awarded the “Above
and Beyond the Call of Duty” award from State Attorney General Dana Nessel for his leadership role in
helping the department earn accreditation.
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2022 Annual Report
Training
The Muskegon Police Department is dedicated to demonstrating compassion for all people and
rendering services with respect, dignity, and courtesy. One of the ways the department enhances
organizational excellence is through education and training. In 2022, Officers received a combined
6,013.2 hours of training. Training is delivered to Officers in several ways including in-service training
and through the West Michigan Criminal Justice Training Consortium (WMCJTC).
Core Training makes up the majority of disciplines that can get an Officer hurt, criminally charged, or the
Officer or the city sued. These training disciplines include firearms, legal update, emergency vehicle
operation, physical controls/defensive tactics, and Officer safety. The Michigan Commission on Law
Enforcement Standards (MCOLES) created a Mandatory Firearms Standard for all Officers in the State of
Michigan and Advisory In-Service Standards for each of the other disciplines within the Core Training
category. In 2022, MPD Officers spent 1,642.3 hours training in the Core disciplines. This was
approximately 27% of our combined training hours and equals approximately 23 hours per Officer.
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2022 Annual Report
Elective Training consists of those disciplines that make our Officers better, and more well-rounded as
Police Officers. These types of trainings can address an identified deficiency for a particular Officer or
trainings like Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion, Stress Management, or CPR/AED that make our
Officers more effective at what they do.
In 2022, MPD Officers spent 1,531.4 hours training in the Elective disciplines. This was approximately
25% of our combined training hours and equals approximately 22 hours per Officer.
Specialized Training is only delivered to certain Officers. This type of training usually trains the Officer
to either train his/her peers in a certain topic or enhances the education of an Officer who specializes in
that discipline. Examples of specialized training would be Field Training Officer, Fair and Impartial
Policing Instructor, and Crisis Intervention Training (CIT). Specialized training comprised 42% of our
combined training hours. This was significantly higher than 2021. MPD spent considerable resources
training Officers in Crisis Intervention Training (CIT), to become instructors in their respective disciplines,
and leadership.
Current Topic Training is the mechanism used to deliver short electronic training through PowerDMS to
all of our Officers and occasionally to our non-sworn staff. These trainings or updates vary in topic.
They range from Legal Updates to voter law or how to handle topics such as lab submissions. An
estimated value of how long the training will take to cover is assigned. Typical values are about 15
minutes per topic. MPD Officers are required to save these trainings for future reference. In 2022,
fourteen (14) Current Topic Trainings were sent out which equaled 4 hours of training per Officer or 4%
of our total MPD training hours The goal in 2023 is to increase the number of meaningful Current Topic
Trainings put out to staff.
The total training hours for 2022 decreased by 124.7 hours from 2021 and was significantly increased
from 2020 (2,335.5 in 2020, 3550 in 2019). MPD concentrated our efforts in 2022 on training CIT
Officers, instructors, and leadership. MPD hired and trained 9 new Police Officers to replace 7 Officers
who left us in 2022 (Retirements and Officers leaving for employment at other police agencies).
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2022 Annual Report
Internal Affairs
The Muskegon Police Department takes seriously all complaints regarding the service provided by the
department and the conduct of its Officers. The department will accept and address all complaints of
misconduct in accordance with policy and applicable federal, state and local law, and municipal and
county rules, and the requirements of any collective bargaining agreements. It is also the policy of this
department to ensure that the community can report misconduct without concern for reprisal or
retaliation.
In 2022, 13 formal Internal Affairs investigations were completed. 9 of the complaints were received
against Officers from members of the public and 4 were self-initiated by Muskegon Police Department
staff. 6 of these complaints were sustained, 5 exonerated, and 2 unfounded. An additional 21
complaints were made directly to Command Officers. Of the 34 complaints made, 11 were sustained
(21%), 12 were either not-sustained or exonerated (35%), and 11 were unfounded (32%).
In 2022, Officers of the Muskegon Police Department had 58,485 contacts with citizens and guests of
the City of Muskegon. Officers wrote 26,769 police reports, arrested 4,938 subjects, and wrote 3,692
traffic citations. During the course of 2022, 34 total complaints were received from members of the
public or self-initiated by the department concerning members of the Muskegon Police Department.
Zero of these complaints alleged bias on the part of the Officer(s) involved. For the year 2022, the
Muskegon Police Department had a complaint percentage of 0.0005%.
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2022 Annual Report
Road Patrol
Road Patrol consists of one Captain, four Lieutenants, six Sergeants, and thirty Patrol Officers. Road
Patrol is responsible for providing for public safety by maintaining order, responding to emergencies,
protecting people and property, promoting good community relations, patrolling assigned areas to
prevent crime, enforcing laws, ordinances, and traffic regulations, controlling crowds, and arresting
violators.
Calls for Service
In 2022, officers of the Muskegon Police Department were either dispatched to, or self-initiated 58,485
calls for service and officers conducted 5,880 traffic stops. During 2022, officers wrote 26,769 police
reports, arrested 4,938 subjects, and wrote 3,692 traffic citations. Dispatched to, or self-initiated calls
for service increased by 1% (57,674) and traffic stops conducted decreased by 11% (6,827) from 2021.
Calls for Service and Traffic Stop
Comparison
70,000 66,036 64,313
63,605
58,485 60,361
57,674
60,000
50,000
40,000
30,000
20,000
8,305 10,308 9,460
10,000 5,880 6,636 6,827
0
2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017
Disptached to, or self-initiated calls for service Traffic Stops
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2022 Annual Report
Muskegon Police Department Crime Statistics
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2022 Annual Report
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2022 Annual Report
During 2022, the Muskegon Police Department experienced an overall 64% crime clearance rate and a
15% increase in total crime.
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2022 Annual Report
Traffic Crash Summary
There was a total of 1,056 traffic crashes reported during 2022 in the City of Muskegon. Total number
of crashes decreased by 14.5% from 2021. Over the past six years, the City of Muskegon averaged 2.5
fatal crashes, 208.8 injury crashes, 1,021.2 property crashes and 1,232.5 total crashes per year.
Traffic Crash Comparison
1500
1400
1300
1200
1100
1000
900
800
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Fatal 0 2 4 5 3 1
Injury 216 251 230 207 219 130
Property 1038 1101 1099 951 1013 925
Total 1254 1354 1333 1163 1235 1056
Fatal Injury Property Total
The 2022 City of Muskegon fatal crash involved a motorcycle. 5 crashes involving bicycles and 30
crashes involving motorcycles occurred in 2021.
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2022 Annual Report
Traffic Enforcement Summary
The Muskegon Police Department issued a total of 3,692 traffic citations during 2022, which was a
14.9% increase from 2021 (3,213), a 10% decrease from 2020 (4,104), a 30.3% decrease from 2019
(5,684) and a 46.5% decrease from 2018 (6,902). The decrease in issued traffic citations in 2021 was a
result of COVID-19 and a decrease in staffing. During the pandemic, Officers limited their proactive
traffic enforcement in an effort to help prevent exposure and spread of the virus. The increase in issued
traffic citations in 2022 was a result of COVID-19 subsiding and the Muskegon Police Department
participating in pro-active enforcement initiatives. The Muskegon Police Department did participate in
the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” and “Click It or Ticket”
campaigns in 2022.
2018-2022 Common Violations
1200
1000
800
600
400
200
0
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Driving While License Suspended Speeding
No Proof of Insurance Expired Plate
Disobey Traffic Signal
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2022 Annual Report
Special Services
Neighborhood Policing Unit
The Neighborhood Policing Unit (NPU) consists of seven Neighborhood Officers, one School Resource
Officer, and a Sergeant. Officers of the NPU are assigned specific areas within the City of Muskegon.
Officers work as a liaison between different groups and neighborhood associations, as well as other
divisions and personnel of the police department. They act as a resource for referrals to other law
enforcement and community agencies where appropriate. In addition to doing routine patrol in their
assigned areas, Officers continually evaluate the needs of the neighborhood(s) and initiate enforcement
or other action as needed to enhance the lifestyle of the residents.
Increasing positive interaction between the police and the community is a vital part of the NPU’s work
and the mission of the Muskegon Police Department. To achieve this, the NPU hosts events such as
National Night Out, Fishing Derby, Youth Police Academy, Blight Fight, Coffee with Cops, Winter Sports
Days, and Bicycle Safety Events. NPU Officers are also active in the Alcohol Liability Initiative, Muskegon
Area Medication Disposal Program, Shop with a Cop, and Offender Re-Entry Mock Job Interviews.
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2022 Annual Report
Christmas Food Basket Deliveries
In December, Officers of the Neighborhood Policing Unit assisted with assembling and delivering fruit
baskets donated by the Lakeside Neighborhood Association to local area senior citizens.
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2022 Annual Report
Muskegon High School Last Day of School Event
The Muskegon Police Department, in partnership with the Safe and Healthy Summer Task Force, wished
the students at Muskegon High School a safe and healthy summer on their last day of school in June.
The students were able to gather information about community resources, receive a catered meal and
ice cream, played games, danced to great music, and won numerous prizes.
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2022 Annual Report
Bike Rodeo
The Muskegon Police Department participated in a Bike Rode in June. Each youth who attended was
fitted for a free helmet, had their bike inspected and registered, and went through various obstacles to
learn safe biking skills. Officers enjoyed working with the following partners: Boys and Girls Club of the
Lakeshore, Muskegon County Bicycling Coalition, Muskegon YMCA, Safe Kids West Michigan, Public
Health-Muskegon County, Safe and Healthy Summer Task Force, Muskegon Farmers Market, and
volunteers!
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2022 Annual Report
Crime Activity Team (CAT)
The Crime Activity Team (CAT) consists of one Lieutenant and two Officers. In 2022, CAT replaced one
Officer, who was promoted to Sergeant. CAT is responsible for high intensity patrols and enforcement
in the core neighborhoods. Part of the duties of CAT include utilizing Data-Driven Approaches to Crime
and Traffic Safety (DDACTS), working in conjunction with Road Patrol and Neighborhood Policing Unit
Officers, and assisting Investigations and local task forces. During 2022, CAT conducted 813 traffic stops,
issued 382 traffic citations, and 807 verbal warnings for miscellaneous traffic offenses. The team also
seized 7 firearms and conducted 2 DRE evaluations.
CAT Narcotics Seized Fentanyl
6%
2022 Cocaine
18%
Meth Crack Cocaine
22% 18%
Heroin
36%
Cocaine Crack Cocaine Heroin Meth Fentanyl
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2022 Annual Report
Honor Guard
The Muskegon Police Department Honor Guard represents the department at in-state funerals of fallen
officers who worked in the State of Michigan and at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in
Washington D.C. during Police Week. The Honor Guard also provides a tiered level of funeral service for
officers who worked for the Muskegon Police Department, based on the manner of their passing. The
Muskegon Police Department Honor Guard had four active members in 2022.
In 2022, Honor Guard members assisted with the funerals for retired Muskegon Police Department
Lieutenant Charles Anderson, retired Muskegon Police Department Officer Ed Bleich, and Kalamazoo
Department of Public Safety Officer Christian Smith. Members of the Honor Guard attended funerals for
Detroit Police Officer Loren Courts and former Muskegon Heights Police Chief Joseph Thomas.
Members also participated in Muskegon County Police Memorial Week ceremonies and the Police and
Fire Night hosted at Trinity Health Arena.
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2022 Annual Report
Investigations
The Investigations Bureau consists of one Captain, one Sergeant, and eight Detectives. Two
Investigators are assigned to the Justice for Women Task Force and another Investigator to the
Muskegon Major Crimes Initiative (MMCI). Investigators are responsible for complex investigations
requiring specialization and enhanced investigation skills. Investigators at the Muskegon Police
Department have expertise in interview and interrogation, evidence collection and processing, firearms,
forensic interviewing, etc. In 2022, investigators were assigned 263 cases, including 12 homicides.
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2022 Annual Report
West Michigan Enforcement Team (WEMET)
The Muskegon Police Department has one Sergeant and two Investigators assigned to the West
Michigan Enforcement Team (WEMET). The is a multi-agency task force under the direction of the
Michigan State Police, comprised of Officers from West Michigan law enforcement agencies throughout
Ottawa, Muskegon, and Allegan Counties. Cases handled by WEMET typically involve the seizure of
narcotics, weapons, and cash and often result in the prosecution being sought at both the state and
federal levels.
Muskegon County WEMET Activity
2022
200
155
150
100
52
50
0
Firearms Arrests
Muskegon County WEMET Narcotics Seized
2022 Crack Cocaine
Cocaine 7%
3%
Heroin
5%
Fentanyl
47%
Crystal Meth
20%
Marijuana/BHO
0%
Suboxone
LSD Pills 1%
2% 15%
Cocaine Crack Cocaine Heroin Crystal Meth Suboxone Marijuana/BHO Pills LSD Fentanyl
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