KALAMAZOO, Mich. — The Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety officially has a new chief.
Former Assistant Chief Vernon Coakley was sworn into the new role Thursday.
He’s spent almost three decades in law enforcement.
He began in Detroit in 1993, but has spent the last 22 years in Kalamazoo.
Coakley replaces Chief Karianne Thomas, whose last day on the job was Wednesday.
Thomas announced Sept. 16 that she would be stepping down at the end of September after spending 27 years with the department.
She was KDPS’ first female chief.
