 | Spring/Summer 2005 |
Alumni Profile: Don Pussehl, Saginaw Township Chief of Police
The badge still says Chief of Police, but these days, Don Pussehl reports to work a few miles to the west. In 2004, he retired from his job as the city of Saginaw’s top cop to take the same position in neighboring Saginaw Township.
"I’m enjoying it tremendously," Pussehl said.
After nearly 20 years in the city, Pussehl was not looking to leave his previous post, but he had always had an eye on the Saginaw Township chief’s position and when word surfaced that Stephen Renico (B.A., 1992) would be retiring, Pussehl expressed interest in becoming Renico’s successor.
"I knew this was likely the only time in my career that the position would be available," Pussehl said. "I had always set the goal of being police chief in Saginaw, and I would probably be in the city if not for this opening."
In his capacity as an administrator, several differences between the departments are apparent to Pussehl, but money ranks at the top of the list.
"Funding is the biggest difference," he said. "You pay for what you get."
Saginaw Township voters approved a dedicated millage for public safety more than a decade ago, while in May 2005 Saginaw residents rejected an attempt to institute a similar millage. The city is also saddled with a property tax cap that has restricted Saginaw to collecting the same $3.8 million it received in 1979.
Such funding disparities play a significant role in how a police chief performs his job.
"In my four years as Saginaw’s police chief, I never hired a single officer," Pussehl said. "In the township, we’re hiring."
In fact, Pussehl watched the ranks of Saginaw’s men and women in blue shrink by almost one-third, losing nearly 50 sworn officers during his time as chief.
Jurisdiction plays little part in a police officer’s primary job to serve and protect, according to Pussehl, but the strategies and tactics for fighting crime can vary significantly from one community to another. He says the city faces more problems with violent crime, especially due to drug and gang activity, while the township has more property crime, such as burglaries and larcenies.
During his career, Pussehl has observed a lot of change in Saginaw County law enforcement, but he says technology has made the greatest difference in how police work is performed. When he started his police career in Bridgeport in 1978, patrol cars were equipped with a four-channel radio and a siren box. Today’s police vehicles have laptop computers, giving officers the ability to send police reports electronically and receive critical investigation information much more rapidly.
Pussehl is particularly pleased with one aspect of local law enforcement that has remained constant. Collaboration among police agencies, the FBI and Secret Service is commonplace.
"We have total cooperation among departments," Pussehl said. "Saginaw County is one of the premier counties in Michigan; others are amazed at how well we all get along."
Because crime does not recognize municipal borders, Pussehl says working together is vital to maintaining safe communities.
In that spirit of cooperation, Pussehl has met several times with Saginaw’s new police chief, Gerald Cliff, who came from Detroit.
"Mainly," Pussehl said, "I’ve shared some historical perspective. I think it’s been mutually beneficial."
Pussehl says he has unquestionably benefitted from his SVSU education, receiving his bachelor’s degree in 1985 and a master’s degree in 1990.
Pussehl originally studied theology at a small, private college in Wisconsin before deciding he wanted to pursue a career in law enforcement. He studied for his SVSU criminal justice classes while working full time as a Bridgeport police officer.
"I learned a lot of theory from instructors like Don Bachand and Ken Gewerth," Pussehl recalled.
Pussehl appreciated his interaction with students from all walks of life in his master’s program, and he has applied those skills throughout his administrative career.
"My master’s degree certainly benefitted me at the FBI national academy in Quantico, Va.," Pussehl said. "It gave me good research abilities."
These days, Pussehl stands in front of the class as an adjunct criminal justice instructor. He will teach "Policing in America" this fall.
"I tell my students to get all the education they can," he said.
In the classroom, Pussehl "throws in a few war stories," but he also ensures his students have a realistic expectation of life in a police uniform.
"What you see on TV is not the real world," he said.
Pussehl frequently speaks at local schools and sees the effects of those media portrayals.
He said, "I ask the students, ‘How many times do you think I’ve had to shoot someone?’ They’ll answer, ‘10 times’ or ‘five times.’ The correct answer is zero."
When counseling those with an interest in police work, Pussehl encourages them to complete their bachelor’s degree at SVSU and to attend the police academy at Delta College in order to become certifiable as a police officer.
"Today, most applicants have a bachelor’s degree," Pussehl said. "You didn’t see that 20 or 30 years ago."
Pussehl is grateful for his latest career opportunity. He says he inherited a great department and a terrific Township board. Pussehl enjoys the daily challenge of making Saginaw Township the safest community it can be and appreciates having the resources to accomplish his objectives.
Happy in his new setting, Pussehl knows his educational opportunities have made his career advancement possible.
"My life would have been different if SVSU were not here," he said.