UM-Flint Department of Public Safety Honored for Fostering Community Trust

The University of Michigan-Flint Department of Public Safety (DPS) was named the Voices for Children Advocacy Center’s 2026 Service Organization of the Year due to their commitment to going beyond traditional public safety and making intentional efforts to serve their communities. 

Voices for Children Advocacy Center is a social services organization dedicated to supporting survivors of child abuse and their families, operating in the Michigan counties of Genesee and Shiawassee. In a social media post, the organization announced the award, sharing, “DPS officers ensure students feel safe and supported — even providing transportation for those without it and offering meaningful student employment opportunities. They have adopted an entire neighborhood, the River Village Condominiums, bringing together professors, social workers, and officers every Wednesday to connect with families through tutoring, counseling, and story time with kids.” 

Additionally, the organization praised an initiative of the DPS as “one of the most creative community engagement efforts” it had ever seen, describing how the “DPS transformed an RV into a mobile gaming truck — visiting schools across Genesee County to connect with young people and show that police relationships can be built on respect, understanding, and fun.” 

As an alumnus of the University of Michigan-Flint, I’ve interacted with the school’s DPS personally. From my own experience, I always felt safe on campus, and the times that I needed help from the department, they were kind and supportive. The announcement of this award comes as no surprise to me. 

I reached out to the DPS, both with my congratulations and a desire to learn more about the department’s philosophies on public safety.

Detective Sergeant Alexis Frierson told me that by adopting a Problem-Oriented Policing policy, the department has “gone beyond traditional public safety, putting in the extra effort to build relationships and trust” with the community they serve. 

Sergeant Deon Smith elaborated further on this policy, stating, “We have developed a strategic system that focuses on quality-of-life improvements. This system is known as MTSS, or Multi-Tiered System of Supports, which is broken down into three tiers. For example, Tier 1 support would be a broad approach to service, such as a large community event, such as Gus Macker, Touch-a-Truck, or Law Enforcement professional development. We all enjoy festive, vibrant events while building relationships as a community. 

“From there, we get into tier 2. While enjoying the festive community event, an officer may, during a casual conversation, learn or gain insight into how our services may be even more effective in a certain community or area. With that information, we gather our officers and include our community engagement manager to support a focused approach in that area. We bring the games, fun, officers, and resources to that area.

“Tier 3 then becomes a vital part of the quality-of-life improvements on a more individualized basis.”

This policy is not lenient or “soft on crime,” Smith asserts. “Instead, it emphasizes responsibility and accountability for both citizens and police. Police are committed to protecting the community through safety initiatives, organizational development, collaboration, and mutual respect. Accountability on all sides ensures these commitments are consistently met and issues are addressed promptly. This approach enables all stakeholders, including citizens, police, schools, and businesses, to contribute effectively to improving community safety and quality of life.” 

By investing in their community, the DPS is fostering trust with those they serve. Those bonds are intrinsically valuable for the sake of establishing relationships alone, but it also supports their security efforts. 

“Community engagement is extremely important to our department. Without the partnership, we are unable to serve our community effectively,” says Frierson. “In my experience, the investment in community engagement turns into investment for public safety.” 

“There is no true service absent community engagement,” Smith adds. “Our goal as public servants/police officers should be to prioritize community and protect its citizens through genuine interactions and contacts. When we meet our community members where they are, we gain a better understanding of the needs, which will shape and improve their quality of life. Community engagement with problem-solving strategies is what we do at the University of Michigan-Flint; it is our duty.” 

“They are not just ensuring safety,” concluded the Voices for Children Advocacy Center in its social post. “They are changing the future for an entire generation."

“To be awarded and named the Voices for Children Advocacy Center’s 2026 Service Organization of the Year means we are actively doing the work the community asks of us and the services needed in our community, we believe in our partners, and our partners believe in us,” Smith says. “Let’s not expect awards; let’s focus on modeling service, integrity, trust, inclusion, and professionalism. This award is truly a beacon of the transformational power of partnership and community trust.”