Department History

Growing with Chesterfield Township

Chesterfield Township sits on the north shore of Lake St. Clair in Macomb County, and its police department has changed as much as the township has. Farm fields along 21 Mile Road and 23 Mile Road became subdivisions, retail centers and industrial parks, and a department that once relied on part-time officers now fields sworn officers around the clock, a dispatch center that also serves New Baltimore, and specialty units for investigations, traffic, water rescue and aerial support.

Today the department is part of the Chesterfield Township Department of Public Safety, which brings police and fire operations under one director. The station at 46525 Continental Drive, renovated in 2025, houses the Records Department, the Detective Bureau, the renovated Dispatch Center, the property room and the Med Return bin available to residents around the clock.

Milestones

1. 1960s

   Chesterfield Township officers patrol a largely rural township along Gratiot Avenue and the Lake St. Clair shoreline, supported by part-time officers.

2. 2015

   The Honor Guard is established as a 501(c)(3) unit to represent the department at ceremonies and law enforcement funerals.

3. 2016

   The Citizens' Public Safety Academy begins, giving adult residents a 12-week inside look at police and fire operations.

4. 2017

   The Junior Public Safety Academy and the Chesterfield Observation Program (C.O.P.) camera registry launch.

5. 2018

   The small Unmanned Aircraft System program begins, putting overhead views of scenes and searches in officers' hands.

6. 2020

   Marine One is placed in service, patrolling Lake St. Clair from spring through fall.

7. 2021

   The department earns accreditation from the Michigan Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission and launches online reporting through D.O.R.S.

8. 2022

   The Cadet Program begins hiring college students who are considering a career in law enforcement.

9. 2024

   Reaccreditation is awarded, and the Dispatch Center is renovated with a fourth console and a video wall.

10. 2025

    Interior and exterior renovations of the police station are completed, Chester the comfort K-9 joins the department, and the Skydio X-10 drone enters service.