“The excitement involved is what first interested me in being a police officer. I knew I wanted to do something that involved variety and required me to be active. I never saw myself sitting at a desk. It is ironic that I spend most of my time at a desk in my current role, but I have had my fill of “excitement” along the way. It wasn’t until I actually began my career that I found the most rewarding thing about a career in law enforcement are those opportunities to help people in crisis or just going through tough times.”
As his responsibilities grew, so did his focus on process improvement and professional development across the department. That excitement turned into a passion for leadership and continuous improvement.
“In every role I’ve had, I have always looked for ways to improve everything we do. Some of the things I’ve tried along the way were not exactly successful, but failures just inspired me to keep pushing forward. I’ve witnessed so many selfless acts by the men and women of this department through the years and I feel an obligation to do whatever I can to let the public know what fabulous public servants they have in this community. Police officers across the country went through some hard times a few years back but I know that our officers consistently do things the right way the vast majority of the time.”
In addition to leadership and innovation, Rowell recognizes the operational challenges officers face and the importance of maintaining internal support and morale.
“We have the opportunity every day to have a real impact on people’s lives. Speaking from my own experience, it can be difficult at times to maintain a positive attitude when the nature of our profession is to deal with constant negativity. An officer can go weeks at a time without many positive interactions through no fault of their own. It’s that occasional situation where an officer truly impacts a person’s life that keeps us going. The obvious is when an officer solves a crime and begins the process of providing justice for a victim. There are many other situations that provide the same amount of satisfaction but don’t necessarily get recognized. I’ve seen so many times, officers simply helping people who are out of options by paying for a hotel room for a night, fixing something in their home, buying a bus ticket to help them out of a bad situation, and so many more. In my current role, I am motivated every day to make sure that the officers know they are needed and appreciated.”
-Caleb Rowell, Public Safety Director, Bay City Department of Public Safety
“I was born and raised in Bay County, MI, and I have always looked up to and respected the Law Enforcement Officers I met when I was young. After taking some law enforcement classes, I was able to do some ride-alongs with the Bay County Sheriff’s Office. I loved the quick decision-making and the challenge of facing new situations every day. Seeing the challenges that faced our community and working with a team interested me. My journey in law enforcement began as a reserve Deputy and later on the Marine Patrol. I was eventually hired onto the Road Patrol, then became a Sergeant, and later a Lieutenant. In 2013, I was appointed Undersheriff, and in 2017, I was fortunate enough to be elected as your County Sheriff. Each position offered new challenges and opportunities to enhance the safety of our community. As Sheriff, I am continuously driven by a dedication and passion to maintain trust, cooperation, and safety in the community I serve.”
With a career defined by a commitment to public service and community safety, Sheriff Cunningham’s leadership reflects years of experience, growth, and dedication to strengthening relationships between law enforcement and residents. His focus has remained on building an agency that operates with integrity and responsiveness, guided by the trust placed in him by the people of Bay County.
“I am most proud of the trust the residents of Bay County have placed in me by electing me to a third term. This vote of confidence is a testament to the work we've done together to create a safer, more connected community. It’s an honor to serve, and I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to continue working on behalf of our residents. I’m proud of our staff every single day—not just for what they do, but for how they do it. Whether it’s the Corrections Deputies managing incredibly complex situations inside the jail or the Road Patrol Deputies responding to calls across the county, they show up with professionalism, patience, and compassion.”
-Troy Cunningham, Sheriff of Bay County
“Promoting public safety through keeping the public informed and being as transparent as possible is our goal. In addition to the use of technology, we also have four officers who are dedicated to “community policing” efforts. They are constantly attending meetings and conducting presentations for a variety of community groups. Two of the officers are assigned to Handy Middle School and Central High School and they play a vital role in our community relations with both school aged students and their parents. If you’ve ever attended National Night Out in August of each year, you will see some of the efforts of our community policing officers. That is one of the biggest events of our year and it brings people together for one night and doesn’t cost anything for someone to attend with their family and fellow community members. We cannot achieve the highest levels of public safety without participation and involvement of the community. I also present to various community groups throughout the year but that is mostly to keep people informed about their public safety department and the challenges we face. “
-Caleb Rowell, Public Safety Director, Bay City Department of Public Safety
This spirit of engagement is shared throughout Bay County, where collaboration between law enforcement and residents continues to play a critical role in maintaining a safe, informed, and connected community.
“Community collaboration is at the heart of our mission, and the Sheriff’s Office actively engages with residents through various programs and initiatives. We have three dedicated School Resource Officers (SRO) who serve our schools in Bay County. These Deputies serve as accessible role models for students, providing a trusted point of contact on a daily basis. In addition to maintaining a visible presence, our SROs facilitate a variety of educational programs, such as "Stop the Bleed" training, Active Assailant drills, and ensuring the general safety of our students. These initiatives equip students with valuable skills and knowledge, not only for their time in school but also for their safety in public spaces and at home.
We host crime prevention talks, "Senior Safe" safety training sessions, and organize the county-wide neighborhood watch program to encourage active participation in keeping our neighborhoods safe. The Sheriff’s Office works closely with local businesses to enhance safety and security in the community. We offer crime prevention seminars and provide tailored security tips to help business owners safeguard their establishments. Additionally, we make sure residents are informed about important safety resources, such as our emergency alert systems through 911, to ensure they are prepared in case of an emergency. By working closely with the community, we can provide the tools and knowledge necessary to prevent crime and create a safer community for everyone.”
-Troy Cunningham, Sheriff of Bay County
“The Sheriff’s Office remains closely connected to the needs and concerns of Bay County residents through a variety of outreach efforts and open channels of communication. We actively use social media to keep the community informed and to listen to feedback. Our Deputies engage with residents during their daily patrols, allowing them to address concerns in real-time and build stronger relationships. We also prioritize transparency by utilizing body cameras, ensuring accountability and trust within the community. Furthermore, we maintain an open-door policy, always making ourselves accessible to residents.”
-Troy Cunningham, Sheriff of Bay County
Being informed is a powerful part of public safety, and that accessibility extends beyond in-person interactions. Staying connected with the latest updates and community resources has never been easier thanks to the tools and technology available to residents.
“If I could suggest one thing for everyone in this community, it would be to download our mobile app (Bay City Dept Public Safety MI). It provides a real time ability for us to notify people about emergency situations or other information that needs to be distributed to community members. In addition, it has many links to resources throughout the entire county. Any community member can find the contact information for anyone in the department and send them an email, right from the app. There are step by step directions for conducting CPR and what to do if someone is with an individual experiencing an overdose. There are many links to a variety of resources that help with many issues from addiction to mental health struggles. There are crime maps available showing reported incidents throughout the city. There is a link for residents to request the Fire Marshal to come install new smoke detectors in their home. It really is a very user-friendly app with an abundance of useful features.”
-Caleb Rowell, Public Safety Director, Bay City Department of Public Safety
