Dale S. Person
Novi,MI
Summary
Senior public safety and security operations leader with more than 25 years of progressive experience in law enforcement, campus safety, and 24/7 operational environments. Currently serving as Director of Public Safety for the Lansing School District, with executive responsibility for centralized safety operations, emergency response coordination, technology integration, policy governance, and interagency collaboration. Proven expertise in building and modernizing security operations, integrating intelligence-driven practices, managing physical security systems, and leading multidisciplinary teams. Highly experienced in incident command, after-action review, budget oversight, and aligning safety operations with organizational mission and growth..
Overview
2026
2026
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director of Public Safety
Lansing School District
10.2025 - Current
- Provide executive leadership for a district-wide, centralized public safety operation supporting approximately 23 schools, administrative facilities, and large-scale events, operating across extended and on-call schedules.
- Lead strategic planning, build-out, and continuous improvement of safety operations, policies, and response protocols aligned with district growth and evolving risk environments.
- ·Serves as the PA 330 License Holder for Lansing School District Public Safety, ensuring state compliance for private security operations and granting sworn arrest authority to Public Safety personnel on district property.
- Coordinated emergency preparedness drills to ensure compliance with safety regulations.
- Oversee integration and performance of physical security systems including video surveillance, access control, alarm monitoring, communications, and emergency notification platforms.
- Direct intelligence-informed safety practices through coordination of threat assessment (BTAM), investigations, information sharing, and data-driven decision-making.
- Establish and maintain governance frameworks, incident command structures, and post-incident review processes to support accountability and operational learning.
- Supervise and develop a multidisciplinary team including supervisors, team leads, public safety officers, rapid response personnel, dispatch/office staff, and internal investigations.
- Led training sessions for staff on safety procedures and emergency response techniques.
- Developed and implemented safety protocols to enhance student and staff well-being.
- Established partnerships with local law enforcement for collaborative safety initiatives.
- Manage vendor relationships, contracts, and technology partners supporting security infrastructure, communications systems, and access control platforms.
- Collaborate closely with Facilities, IT, Emergency Management, Campus Operations, Human Resources, and executive leadership to ensure system reliability and coordinated response.
- Serve as senior point of contact during critical incidents, supporting executive leadership and coordinating with law enforcement, emergency management, and external agencies.
- Lead budgeting, resource allocation, and staffing decisions while preparing reports, briefings, and recommendations for district leadership and Board-level review.
Sergeant Lansing Police Department
City Of Lansing, Michigan
05.2021 - 09.2023
- Supervised and coordinated daily operations of patrol shifts of up to 14 officers.
- Served as mentor and role model to junior officers.
- Evaluated case documentation submitted by team members to check accuracy and compliance with department policies aimed at protecting criminal cases.
- Motivated and trained squad members to become proficient with equipment and daily tasks.
- Led shift briefings to inform officers of properties to check and individuals of note in local areas.
- Developed and maintained positive relationships with community members.
- Accompanied police officers during shifts to evaluate performance and resolve incorrect behaviors.
- Developed and implemented methods of reducing crime in the community, analyzing crime trends and developing corresponding strategies.
- Effectively led investigations, ensured safety protocols were followed, and handled high-pressure situations.
- Researched and maintained current knowledge of security trends and technologies to apply best practices and strategies.
- Engaged with local individuals and community leaders to discuss crime reduction strategies.
- Established and enforced employee performance policies.
- Conducted investigations to identify suspicious activities, violations of policies and regulations, and potential threats.
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Worked well in a team setting, providing support and guidance.
Police Officer
City Of Lansing, Michigan
12.1998 - 05.2021
- Secured crime scenes, gathered evidence, and questioned witnesses.
- Talked regularly with citizens to establish rapport and become familiar presence in area.
- Investigated and reported crimes, accidents, offenses, and damage to property.
- Conducted witness interviews and gathered details regarding incidents to determine best course of action.
- Answered emergency calls for help from citizens and business owners.
- Patrolled assigned areas to prevent and detect roadway crimes.
- Patrolled assigned areas to check homes, businesses, and public roads for signs of disturbance.
- Apprehended offenders and conducted interviews and interrogations.
- Conducted preliminary investigations at scenes of major crimes.
- Enforced traffic laws and ordinances through visual observation and radar speed detection.
- Gathered necessary information for court appearances and testified as witness under oath in court.
- Supervised crowds at busy events to prevent injuries and property destruction.
- Built excellent rapport and working relationship with community to build trust and improve upon communication.
- Utilized clear communication and interpersonal skills to build relationships with citizens.
- Provided testimony in court proceedings.
- Participated in continuous firearms proficiency, defensive driving and arrest technique training.
- Assisted in special investigations and crime prevention programs.
- Thoroughly analyzed criminal information and processed crime scenes.
- Responded to emergency calls, providing timely assistance and support to citizens.
School Resource Officer (SRO) Special Assignment
Lansing Police Department
- I collaborated with the former Director Of Public Safety on an M.O.U. Between the Lansing School District and the Lansing Police Department.
- I've resolved conflict between the student body, parents, teachers, and administration.
- As an S.R.O., I conducted school security inspections.
- I maintained a partnership between The Lansing Police Department and the Lansing School District.
- I collaborated with the administration staff to develop and implemented crisis plans.
- I investigated criminal matters within and on school property, compiling findings into detailed activity reports.
- I know the Title IX and Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (F.E.R.P.A.)
- Conducted regular campus security patrols and handled incidents promptly to maintain safety for staff, students, and visitors.
- I taught G.R.E.A.T. (Gangs, Resistance Education, and Training) for three years in the schools.
- I organized a week-long Drinking and Driving awareness program for Prom Week.
- I taught Criminal Law and forensic science classes on the High School and Elementary levels in the Lansing School District.
- Enforced ongoing and special event parking regulations and issued parking tickets to violators.
- I have worked independently and collaboratively to resolve urgent issues to protect lives and property.
- Acted as a deterrent to prevent criminal actions, vandalism, and misconduct, allowing businesses to conduct operations safely.
- Enforced security policies and removed violators and unauthorized individuals from the premises to maintain a safe environment.
- Recorded observations and occurrences and interviewed witnesses to complete and submit incident reports.
- I have Greeted guests professionally and courteously to cultivate a welcoming atmosphere while prioritizing safety.
- Responded quickly to emergencies to assess and deflect issues.
- Collaborated with school staff to address student behavioral issues.
- Enforced safety protocols and regulations within school environments.
- Provided crisis intervention and conflict resolution support to students and faculty.
- Developed positive relationships with students, fostering trust and open communication.
- Assisted in implementing security measures to enhance campus safety.
- Enforced school safety protocols to ensure asecure learning environment.
Special Operations Division (SOD) Undercover
Lansing Police Department
- Investigate complaints involving controlled substance violations, organized crime, vice, crimes against property, crimes against persons, and civil forfeitures.
- Managed inventory and supply chain operations to deliver goods and services timely and accurate.
- Developed systems and procedures to improve operational quality and team efficiency.
- Led hiring, onboarding, and training new hires to fulfill business requirements.
- Serve as an undercover officer.
- Conduct controlled buys with informants.
- Develop sources of information from public, private, and criminal sectors.
- Conduct surveillance.
- Conduct thorough investigations and prepare concise, accurate, and complete written reports.
- Could you use specialized equipment?.
- Perform narcotic and drug identification.
- Provide current, accurate, and reliable intelligence information to all department divisions.
- Locate and apprehend fugitives.
- Perform a variety of duties on raids as assigned.
- Ability to perform essential functions of PO I position as determined by job analysis (copy available in the City of Lansing Human Resources Office).
- Work with Patrol and Investigations Division personnel to develop work plans to solve identified problems.
- Perform assignments in plain clothes and uniforms based on the situation's needs.
- Prepare affidavits for search warrants.
- Work with AUSA’s Office for cases being prosecuted federally.
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Worked well in a team setting, providing support and guidance.
Court Officer (54-A Court) Special Assignment
Lansing Police Department
- Check URR cases for completeness.
- Deliver reports to Prosecutor and City Attorney for the issuance of warrants.
- Ensure fingerprint packets arrive at Prosecutor's Office.
- Compile a court file on each prisoner to be arraigned.
- Arraign prisoners.
- Enter arraignment information into the Jail Management system.
- Deliver bond money to Circuit Court.
- Deliver mail/paperwork, including subpoena returns, writs, etc., to and from the Courts and Prosecutor’s office.
- Pickup complaints and warrants from Prosecutor and City Attorney.
- Review police reports for accuracy and necessary information to sign complaints.
- Conduct weekend and holiday arraignment as scheduled by the Detention Administrator.
- Please help with prisoner and court security when needed.
- Pick up writs from the Prosecutor’s Office, record the writ, assign the writ to the appropriate Platoon, and conduct necessary follow-up.
- Transport O.U.I.L blood kits to the M.S.P. Crime Lab promptly.
- Responsible for all subpoena intakes within the department.
- Responsible for time-stamping all subpoenas.
- Responsible for sorting all subpoenas into a master control book.
- Responsible for sorting all internal subpoenas and delivering them to the proper division.
- Responsible for the service of all remaining subpoenas.
- Responsible for maintaining records on the number of officers and civilian subpoenas served monthly.
- Responsible for coordinating with both the Ingham County Prosecutor’s Office and Lansing City Attorney to ensure proper service of subpoenas
Crime Scene Investigator (CSI)
Lansing Police Department
- Identified and collected latent fingerprints, tire impressions, tool marks, and other biological and physical evidence for investigation.
- Recreated crime scenes to establish relationships between pieces of evidence.
- Prevented evidence contamination by maintaining a proper chain of custody and utilizing adequate packaging techniques.
- Conducted reconstruction, blood spatter, ballistics, and trajectory analysis to support crime scene investigations.
Case Manger for Youth at Risk
Peckham Industries
08.1996 - 08.1998
- Developed and implemented comprehensive case management plans to address client needs and goals.
- Coordinated services with other agencies, community-based organizations, and healthcare professionals to provide useful benefits to clients.
- Assisted clients in navigating housing, legal services and public benefits to gain access to valuable resources.
- Monitored clients' progress and tracked client services to provide crisis interventions.
- Developed and implemented safety plans for clients at risk of harm to provide protection.
- Collaborated with community members to develop and implement service initiatives.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI09.1995
Associate of Arts - Police Academy
Lansing Community College
Lansing, MI11.1998
MBA - Leadership And Diversity
Cleary University
Ann Arbor, MI05.2024
Skills
- Security Operations Center (SOC) Leadership & Build-Out
- 24/7 Operations & Incident Command
- Intelligence-Driven Security Operations
- Physical Security Systems Integration (Video, Access Control, Alarms)
- Emergency Management & EOC Coordination
- Policy Development, Governance & Compliance
- Staff Hiring, Training, Supervision & Evaluation
- Technology Modernization & Analytics
- Budget, Vendor & Contract Management
- Interagency & Campus Partner Collaboration
- Conflict resolution skills
- Mental health support
- Gang awareness
- Public safety management
Certification
- CIT - Crisis Intervention Trained
- FTO - Field Training Officer
- Certified Police Officer (MCOLES Certified, State Of Michigan - [1998-Current]
- SRO - Advanced School Resource Officer, National Association School Resource Officers NASRO [Trained in Adolescent Mental Health Training, School CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design), SRO Supervisors, and management training.] 2016- current
- G.R.E.A.T, Certified instructor [Gang Resistance Education And Training] - December 16, 2015
- Background Investigator
- Recruiting Specialist
- Certified under the John Maxwell Team Leadership, Coaching, Speaking & Training Development Program 2018
- PA 330 License Holder for Lansing School District Public Safety, ensuring state compliance for private security operations
Timeline
Director of Public Safety
Lansing School District
10.2025 - Current
Sergeant Lansing Police Department
City Of Lansing, Michigan
05.2021 - 09.2023
Police Officer
City Of Lansing, Michigan
12.1998 - 05.2021
Case Manger for Youth at Risk
Peckham Industries
08.1996 - 08.1998
School Resource Officer (SRO) Special Assignment
Lansing Police Department
Special Operations Division (SOD) Undercover
Lansing Police Department
Court Officer (54-A Court) Special Assignment
Lansing Police Department
Crime Scene Investigator (CSI)
Lansing Police Department
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Michigan State University
Associate of Arts - Police Academy
Lansing Community College
MBA - Leadership And Diversity
Cleary University