Plymouth Township, city formalize joint police
Plymouth City Commissioners have approved the PCPP (Plymouth Community Policing Partnership), an intergovernmental agreement which formalizes long-standing cooperation between the City of Plymouth and Plymouth Township police departments and creates a structured framework for joint investigative efforts.
“Many people aren’t aware that the Plymouth community is served by two separate—but highly effective—police departments,” said Plymouth Director of Public Safety and Plymouth Police Chief Al Cox.
“Some residents don’t differentiate between city and township services, so it’s important that we successfully work seamlessly with the township to remain laser focused on keeping our residents safe and secure.”
The PCPP is designed to coordinate post-initial response to criminal investigations that would benefit from shared personnel, intelligence, and specialized resources. Rather than creating a new department or command structure, the partnership functions as a collaborative consortium in which both agencies remain equal partners, officials said. The formalized agreement also highlights some of the key objectives in the city of Plymouth 5-year Strategic Plan including, but not limited to: departmental collaboration, training opportunities, and partnerships.
The general purpose of the PCPP is to enhance public safety and quality of life within both communities through coordinated and cooperative law enforcement investigative operations, officials noted.
The agreement is authorized under Michigan law, including the Mutual Police Assistance Agreements Act, the Urban Cooperation Act, and other applicable statutes governing intergovernmental police cooperation. Each department remains responsible for its own personnel costs, equipment, insurance coverage, discipline, and administrative oversight. Investigative expenses are generally borne by the originating agency unless otherwise agreed.
Additionally, the PCPP will serve as a collaborative training consortium, allowing both agencies to coordinate in-service criminal justice training and share instructional and facility resources. “This agreement strengthens regional collaboration, improves investigative capacity, promotes efficiency, and enhances public safety, while maintaining clear lines of authority, accountability and fiscal responsibility,” Cox added.
