I enjoy camping, hiking, going to the shooting range, reading (mostly WWII history) and spending time with my wife and children
I love taking long walks with my wife at all hours of the day
John Kessner
Caledonia,MI
Summary
L Dynamic safety and law enforcement professional with 25 years as a Firearms Instructor at Calvin University and the City of Grand Rapids. Proven track record in enhancing public safety through proactive community engagement and effective emergency response strategies. Strong interpersonal skills and self-motivation drive successful mentoring and collaboration with diverse teams.
PP
Police Officer/Campus Safety Supervisor with 39 ( years of experience providing workplace first aid response. Analyzes tasks for potential health safety issues and hazards and recommends risk mitigation measures to management for appropriate implementation. On-call for emergency health and accident crises.P
Overview
40
40
years of professional experience
Work History
Campus Safety Supervisor
Calvin University
Grand Rapids, MI
01.2015 - 01.2026
- Conducted regular safety inspections to identify hazards and recommend improvements.
- Collaborated with campus stakeholders to enhance emergency response protocols.
- Led incident investigations, analyzing causes and recommending preventive measures.
- Mentored junior safety personnel, fostering a culture of safety awareness.
- Participated in safety meetings by answering questions from staff members.
- Evaluated safety equipment effectiveness, ensuring adherence to industry standards.
- Enhanced workplace safety by conducting regular inspections and identifying potential hazards.
- Monitored safety practices of new and existing employees.
- Kept main work areas free of debris and obstacles that could cause falls and mishaps.
- Completed workplace safety and hazard inspections.
- Collaborated with management to create effective emergency response plans for various scenarios.
- Established strong relationships with local first responders, facilitating collaboration during emergency situations or drills within the facility.
- Assisted in accident investigations, identifying root causes, and recommending corrective actions to prevent future occurrences.
Police Officer
.City of Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids, MI
05.1986 - 07.2014
- Enforced laws and maintained public order through proactive patrols and community engagement.
- Conducted thorough investigations to gather evidence and prepare case reports for prosecution.
- Collaborated with local agencies to coordinate responses to emergencies and critical incidents.
- Mentored junior officers, providing guidance on operational procedures and community relations.
- Analyzed crime trends using statistical tools to inform resource allocation and strategic initiatives.
- Participated in ongoing training opportunities to stay current on best practices, maintaining a high level of expertise within the field of law enforcement.
- Displayed sound judgment under pressure when making critical decisions that impact public safety during emergency situations.
- Utilized excellent communication skills when interacting with diverse populations, fostering trust between law enforcement and the community members they serve.
- Answered emergency calls for help from citizens and business owners.
- Enhanced public safety by conducting routine patrols and responding to emergency calls promptly.
- Patrolled assigned areas to check homes, businesses, and public roads for signs of disturbance.
- Secured crime scenes, gathered evidence, and questioned witnesses.
- Handled domestic disputes tactfully, de-escalating tensions while providing appropriate support to affected individuals.
- Effectively diffused potentially dangerous situations through verbal negotiation techniques before escalating force was necessary.
- Reduced criminal activity in assigned areas through proactive policing and community engagement.
- Investigated and reported crimes, accidents, offenses, and damage to property.
- Trained new officers on department policies and procedures, fostering a professional work environment focused on public service.
- Testified effectively in court, contributing to successful prosecutions of offenders.
- Conducted thorough investigations for various cases, leading to timely resolutions and justice served.
- Conducted witness interviews and gathered details regarding incidents to determine best course of action.
- Enforced traffic laws diligently, promoting road safety and reducing accident rates.
- Responded immediately to reports of automobile accidents and criminal activity, calling for additional support as necessary.
- Maintained accurate case records and documentation, ensuring proper evidence handling and information sharing among relevant parties.
- Conducted preliminary investigations at scenes of major crimes.
- Managed crowd control during events, ensuring public safety while minimizing disruptions to attendees or surrounding communities.
- Patrolled assigned areas to prevent and detect roadway crimes.
- Apprehended offenders and conducted interviews and interrogations.
- Apprehended suspects, read Miranda Rights, and transported offenders to jail.
- Enforced traffic laws and ordinances through visual observation and radar speed detection.
- Supported supervisors with administrative tasks such as scheduling shifts and managing equipment inventory, increasing department efficiency and organization.
- Implemented community outreach initiatives that strengthened partnerships between residents and local law enforcement agencies.
- Responded to emergency calls to provide assistance to citizens in need.
- Conducted searches of individuals, vehicles and premises.
- Utilized clear communication and interpersonal skills to build relationships with citizens.
- Provided testimony in court proceedings.
- Identified, pursued and arrested suspects and perpetrators of criminal acts.
- Performed rescue functions at accidents, emergencies and disasters by directing traffic and administering emergency medical aid.
- Participated in continuous firearms proficiency, defensive driving and arrest technique training.
- Monitored criminal activity in community to identify suspicious activity.
- Monitored crowded public areas and events to mitigate risk and promote safety.
- Handled citation and traffic violation paperwork.
- Trained other officers in firearms and self-defense tactics.
- Member of the Special Response Team for 8 years.
- Assigned to the SRT Sniper Team for 7 years.
Education
Associate of Science - .Law Enforcement
,Lansing Community College
Lansing, MichiganSkills
- Self motivation
- Interpersonal skills
-Firearms Instructor for 25 years