On February 23, 1981 a motion was made by DON HALKA and supported by ROD SHUMAKER "to establish and create the Charter Township of Mundy Police Department" effective March 1, 1981. Motion carried. Thus began Mundy Township's Police Department.
Prior to March 1, 1981 police protection was granted by the Michigan State Poilce and/or the Genesee County Sheriff's Department for one car and one deputy, that being RICK FROST, who was responsible for the entire township on a limited basis at best. Due to the reduction of funds in the county budget, which created a reduction for the Sheriffs road patrol and the possibility of no coverage for Mundy Township, public hearings were held to determine the need and support for the township's own police force.
During the Februrary 23, 1981 Mundy Township Board meeting it was voted the $39,524.00 received from Federal Revenue Sharing would be spent towards the creation of a police department. It was further decided at this meeting the RANDY FOWLER would be hired as a full time officer and would be known as the township's Marshal. ROBERT CLARK was to be hired as a part time officer. The Police Department was now a reality.
On June 8, 1981 it became necessary for Randy Fowler to resign as the township Marshal due to medical reasons and it was at this time that DAVID GUIGEAR was appointed as the township Marshal - a position he held until retiring in late 2006.
During 1981 two additional officers were hired full time, TERRY BAILEY AND MARTY BROCK and Randy Fowler was retained as a part time officer. On August 23, 1982 it was determined that two additional officers were needed immediately and BILL ANDERSON AND CHRIS PIAZZA were hired. A short time later Officer Clark was assigned to Investigation and as of October 1, 1982 Mundy Township had its first official Detective. During the January 10, 1983 Township board meeting it was determined that there was a need for block clubs within the community. JAMES LANE was hired part time to fill the role as the police crime prevention officer with the responsibility for setting up block clubs and other community policing programs. The department continued to grow when in September of 1983 Officer TIMOTHY COOK was hired as a full time officer. It was also at this time the Mundy Township Police Department acquired its first Sergeant with Officer Robert Clark being promoted on September 26, 1983. Another first for the police department was experienced in March of 1986 when the first woman was hired as a police officer in the personage of LINDA WALKER. In August of 1988 Officer RANDY GAGE was placed in the Carman Ainsworth Junior High School as the liaison officer, another first. The department continued to grow where today there is; a Township Marshal, a full time Deputy Chief, three Sergeants, two detectives, eight Police Officers, two School Resource Officers, one Community Policing Officer, one in Special Assignment, three Part time Officers and two P.S.O.'s
With the growth of the Police Department came additional paperwork and the need for civilian personnel to keep the records and do general office work. DOMINEE ROBINSON was hired in 1981 to assist the Marshal and was joined in July 1988 on a part time basis by BARBARA WILLIAMS who later became the full time transcriptionist. During the course of the years there have been others who have assisted until the present where there are three full time civilian employees.
The Mundy Township Police Department first office consisted of occupying one room within the township hall. This room included three desks, all the filing, and served as a prisoner holding area, interview area, and any other area needed by a police department. The first evidence holding area was the trunk of the Marshal's vehicle until the upstairs of the fire hall was acquired. It was obvious there was a need to expand the police facilities.
On August 11, 1986 a grand opening was held at the "new" police facilities, which were across the parking lot from the township hall. While this area was a much-improved setting the need for a larger facility became evident as the years progressed. In November of 1995 the police department moved into their present facilities at 4029 W. Grand Blanc Road. The officers and staff of the Police Department contributed their own time and money to effect the entire move. The employees of the department also purchased and erected the flagpole that stands in front of the building. In addition the department presented the township board with a plaque expressing their gratitude and appreciation for their consideration in the construction of the new building.
The Mundy Volunteer Program was started in 2004. The first Citizens Police Academy was conducted in March of 2004 with19 students. The five CPA classes held have graduated a total of 109 students. Today the program has 54 active members. They work to help the community and act as extra eyes and ears for the Police Department. The typical duties performed by the volunteers include: General Patrols, Sign Ordinance Patrol, Handicapped parking warnings, event staffing, bike rodeos and children's programs. From 2004 to 2007, the volunteers worked a total of 11251.5 hour.
Following his retirement in 2006, Marshal Guigear has served as the Township Treasurer. Deputy Chief Tom Melrose led the Department while the Township conducted a search for a new Chief. In August 2007, the Board appointed James Petres as the new Marshal and Chief. The new Chief previously served with the Northville Police Department for 34 years, retiring as the Chief in 2006.
Mundy Township officers perform the "normal" police duties such as investigating crime, handling accidents and enforcing traffic laws and ordinances. In addition, Mundy officers have always been willing to assist citizens in such mundane tasks as helping to catch wayward pets, transporting stranded motorists, checking on the welfare of family members, getting into locked cars and sometimes most important of all, just listening. While every case does not ultimately end with an arrest and conviction, each case is given the most professional and complete attention possible.
The Mundy Township Police Department has been and will continue to be progressive and dedicated in its approach to addressing the needs of the community as its officers fulfill their oath to PROTECT AND TO SERVE the citizens of this township.
"Serving Our Community...Protecting Mundy Township's Future"
