Meet Our Team
Meet the Officers on the KDPS Recruiting Team, who can guide you through the application process and answer any questions you might have.
- Telephone(269) 337-8117
- Email
guildsd@kalamazoocity.org
- ProfileCapt. Danielle Guilds joined KDPS in 2005. She holds a BA and MA from Western Michigan University (go Broncos!) and has served in multiple specialty units. Capt. Guilds oversees the Office of Community Affairs, which includes hiring/recruiting and multiple community-facing specialty teams.
- Telephone(269) 337-8238
- Email
mirelesf@kalamazoocity.org
- ProfileSgt. Fidel Mireles II is a graduate of the Grand Rapids Community College with an AA in Law Enforcement. Sgt. Mireles has been with KDPS since 2007 and has served on multiple specialty units. His current assignments include Patrol Sergeant, Assistant Commander of the Hostage/Crisis Negotiation Team, Internship Coordinator, and Lead Recruiter.
- Email
bettsj@kalamazoocity.org
- ProfileLab Specialist Jamie Betts has been with the department since 2018. She has a Bachelor's in Criminal Justice and is a Parchment, MI native. She was a manager for 20 years before making a career switch at 36. She wanted a career with different opportunities and her grandfather was in law enforcement starting in the 1960's.
- Email
cakeb@kalamazoocity.org
- ProfileSgt. Brian Cake is a member of the Kalamazoo Valley Enforcement Team. He loves to talk about the specialty units that KDPS has to offer along with the family feel of the department. He was an intern in his senior year of college, leading him to a career with KDPS. Ask him about internship opportunities and the amazing divisions within Public Safety.
- Email
jacksona@kalamazoocity.org
- ProfileCPO Aaron Jackson was a cadet at Ferris State University before joining KDPS. He loves to tell anyone interested in a career at KDPS about the advancement opportunities that helped him and the great schedule that comes along with it.
- Email
bragolen@kalamazoocity.org
- ProfilePSO Nikki Kendall was employed as a paramedic with Life EMS for several years and had a background in firefighting before she joined KDPS in 2019. She loves that KDPS provides her with the opportunity to combine three professions into one career. She's trained in crisis intervention, has served as a background investigator and is passionate about teaching others about the medical field.
- Email
resseguiej@kalamazoocity.org
- ProfileSgt. John Resseguie joined KDPS in 2011 and has quickly moved up the ranks to Public Safety Sergeant. He also was a CPO and is currently a member of the Honor Guard. He has an MBA in Human Resources, but the schedule, pension, and career advancement opportunities made it tough to pass up KDPS. Sgt. Resseguie is in the military and can tell you about all the great benefits KDPS has for veterans.
- Email
schmeltzs@kalamazoocity.org
- ProfileCPO Samantha Schmeltz started her career at KDPS in 2018. Before working in law enforcement, she worked in the dental industry. She has always been drawn to criminal justice, where just one ride-along changed her entire career path. She is the mother to 3 boys and 2 step-daughters and has taken on multiple roles at KDPS to include CPO, background investigator, and Crisis Intervention Team member.
- Email
seisers@kalamazoocity.org
- ProfileDetective Steve Seiser came to KDPS as a lateral transfer from a nearby agency. He has over 20 years of combined law enforcement service and has spent a majority of it as an investigator.
- Email
spieldennerb@kalamazoocity.org
- ProfilePSO Brad Spieldenner is a native of Vicksburg, MI and loves to talk about the specialty units at KDPS. He chose KDPS because it is true Public Safety where you get to practice Police, Fire, and EMS. He works nightshift on the Northside and loves how the schedule allows him to have a proper work/life balance.
- Email
vanbrocklinr@kalamazoocity.org
- ProfileEO Rebecca Vanbrocklin has done about everything in law enforcement. She worked was a court officer, teleserve officer, union president, field training officer, and even worked in the jail. As an Equipment Operator now, she loves the feel of an "office in your car" along with no boring day-to-day routines. She loves to talk about the retirement benefits and the "25 and out" career path.
- Email
vandenbergj@kalamazoocity.org
- ProfileEO John Vandenberg is not only an Equipment Operator Technician for KDPS, he's also the head of the Peer Fitness Team. He understands the importance of health and wellness in this career path, and loves to answer any questions new recruits, or even current officers may have. He will help get you in shape for the physical trials in the academy, and what the job may present.
- Email
mcmillonl@kalamazoocity.org
- ProfileLieutenant Lakisha McMillon has been a member of KDPS since 2005 and has fulfilled various roles to include Community Policing Officer, KVET investigator, Detective, and Sergeant. Between holding those primary roles, Lt. McMillon has experience in recruiting, crisis intervention, background investigations, and dispatch. Lt. McMillon enjoys the ability to mentor those that work under her command.
- Email
nobleb@kalamazoocity.org
- ProfileSgt. Brandon Noble joined KDPS in 2011. He holds Bachelor’s Degree from MSU and a Master’s Degree from the University of Alabama. Sgt Noble is currently a Crowd Management Team member, Explorer Advisor, Crisis Negotiator and serves as the coordinator for KDPS's drone team. Sgt. Noble enjoys the KDPS schedule as it allows him to travel to visit family located all over the country.
- Email
belenn@kalamazoocity.org
- ProfileSgt. Nate Belen came to KDPS as a legacy officer after his father retired from KDPS. He's been with KDPS since 2015 and is a night shift patrol sergeant. He was previously a field training officer and is currently a field training officer supervisor. Sgt. Belen grew up in the Kalamazoo area and loves to talk about the opportunities KDPS has to offer.
- Email
ellisc@kalamazoocity.org
- ProfilePSO Christina Ellis joined KDPS in 1999 with no prior police experience. She has a Bachelor's in Communications and Theatre from WMU and worked in management in the private sector before joining KDPS. In her time here, she has served in numerous roles to include Detective, Equipment Operator, Technical Rescue Technician, Honor Guard Member, & Pipe and Drum Corp Member. She also teaches at KVCC.
- Email
cabelloj@kalamazoocity.org
- ProfilePSO Jeff Cabello has been with KDPS for 3 years, and is already a part of the recruiting team, aviation unit, and is a field training officer. PSO Cabello’s initial career path was in the scientific field. However, he wasn’t feeling fulfilled and felt that he wasn’t making a direct impact on people’s lives, so he decided to change careers and join KDPS.
- Email
alwana@kalamazoocity.org
- ProfileSgt Amil Alwan joined KDPS in August of 1999. He is the Sergeant of the Community Service Team which services the unhoused and those in crisis. He’s an active member of the Critical Incident Stress Management Team, Peer Support Team, and Crisis Intervention Team and is a Behavioral Health Emergency Trainer (through MCOLES) and Team Leader for the Kalamazoo Metro SWAT Hostage Negotiation Team.
- Email
penaj@kalamazoocity.org
- ProfilePSO Joshua Peña is a Kalamazoo native raised in the Northside neighborhood. He works as a Patrol Officer and has duties as a member of the Aviation Unit and Bomb Squad. He previously served in the USMC as a Combat Engineer and is well aware of the benefits that can be utilized during a transition to a PSO. PSO Peña has a wife and three children and enjoys spending time with the family hobby farm.
- Email
pharest@kalamazoocity.org
- ProfilePSO Tyler Phares was hired in 2021 and has taken advantage of KDPS' many different specialty units. PSO Phares is currently a defense tactics instructor, a member of the crowd management team and a recruiter for the department. PSO Phares is also a current member of the Michigan Army National Guard and can answer military related questions for veterans who wish to continue their public service.