Shannon Bagley is the next Chief of the Battle Creek Police Department.
Bagley joined the BCPD in September 2021 as our Investigations Deputy Chief, and served in that role until Jan. 15 of this year. He stepped into the interim chief role as then-Chief Jim Blocker retired at the end of January.
City Manager Rebecca Fleury appointed him interim for six months, to see if he and the city found the role a good fit. The permanent appointment is a couple of weeks ahead of that deadline.
“I have heard from community leaders, Police Department staff, and many others about Shannon’s service,” Fleury said. “Overwhelmingly, the feedback has been positive. In fact, many people asked why it took so long to make this announcement; I wanted enough time for him to become comfortable in this role, and for me to observe his work as chief, plus gather that internal and community feedback.
“I have no doubt that Shannon is the right person to lead the Battle Creek Police Department.”
During Bagley’s interim months, the BCPD has developed a Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program, with the help of U.S. Department of Justice grants. The program assigns one officer to each of the city’s eight Neighborhood Planning Council areas, giving the officer and neighbors the chance to build relationships. The officer will work to learn about and understand neighborhood issues, and help find solutions.
The BCPD also has recently recruited a record 17 new police officers, an effort that helps address staff shortages in recent years.
“This moment is both exciting and humbling; being named Chief of the Battle Creek Police Department is truly an honor,” Bagley said. “The organization’s priority will be building and maintaining relationships with our neighbors and business owners who live and work in Battle Creek and Bedford Township. We will be intentional and inclusive with neighborhood outreach and engagement.
“The future holds tremendous opportunities, and there will be challenges. The members of the Battle Creek Police Department, working collaboratively with the community, will meet those head-on.”
Before Bagley joined the BCPD, he was a captain with the Kalamazoo Valley Community College Public Safety Department. He retired from the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety in 2018, after 25 years with that department. He worked as a patrol officer, Kalamazoo Valley Enforcement Team investigator, detective, Operations Division and KVET sergeant, Office of Professional Standards lieutenant/inspector, and OPS and Criminal Investigations Division captain.
Bagley graduated from the KVCC Police Academy. He has an associate’s degree in criminal justice from KVCC, and a bachelor’s degree in organization and resource management from Spring Arbor University. He completed Police Executive Training through the Grand Rapids Leadership Institute, Michigan State Police Supervision and Leadership, and MSP Internal Affairs Investigation courses.
Watch a replay of today’s press conference about this announcement on the city’s YouTube channel.