Kent State Police Department

08/20/2025

HEY FLASHES! FYI: The USDA will begin distributing oral rabies vaccines (ORV) bait from now until Mid-September in several Ohio counties including Portage. The bait bags are about the size of a matchbox and will be distributed by plane, helicopter or vehicle. If you see them, it is recommended you leave them alone or if need be, wear gloves and move them to a wooded area or wildlife habitat. They aren't dangerous to your pets but could give them an upset stomach. Rabies is virtually 100% fatal, the bait helps control the transmission from animal to animal or animal to human.
If you touch a broken bait bag and the liquid gets on you - wash your hands and any exposed skin. That is the very short version...the rest of the info is below in the comments if you have a few minutes to read everything. If you have questions, you can contact USDA wildlife services at 330-726-3386 or 1-866-4-USDA-WS

08/01/2025

NOW HIRING! Applications accepted through August 17th!

04/05/2025

Calling all first responders and their loved ones! You DO NOT want to miss this FREE event! Go to ptsd911movie.com or scan the QR code to register!

02/28/2025

CHIEF'S UNITY CHALLENGE!

To show unity and raise awareness during one of the biggest rivalry games in Northeast Ohio, the University of Akron’s Chief of Police, Jim Gilbride, and Kent State University’s Chief of Police, Chris Jenkins, will make personal donations to their local homeless shelters. Tipoff is at 9 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 28th, at the University of Akron’s James A. Rhodes Arena.

The chiefs have each donated funds to be provided to their respective homeless shelters, the Haven of Rest in Akron, Ohio, and the Shephard’s House of Portage County. The winning university’s local homeless shelter will receive two thirds of the donated funds with the losing university’s shelter receiving the remaining third.

Jim and Chris sought to bring attention to these shelters, knowing firsthand through their work the need for the shelters’ overall services. Community engagement is a priority for each police department. This was a unique way to give back to our communities, to show unity off the court between our two departments, while enjoying a longstanding rivalry.

Please visit the Haven of Rest at https://havenofrest.org/ and the Shephard’s House https://www.shepherds-house.net/ .

BEST OF LUCK TO BOTH TEAMS!

09/25/2024

07/29/2024

We are hiring!
https://jobs.kent.edu/jobs/police-officer-1-kent-campus-kent-ohio-united-states

07/09/2024

Just a training exercise today at Kent State, if you see extra first responders on campus! We train to keep our community safe! 👮🚓

05/07/2024

We really want to know how we are doing!
Pop over to https://cimrs2.calea.org/391 and let us know!

05/01/2024

From July 13, 1981 until May 3, 2024, Dean Tondiglia dedicated his career to keeping Kent State University safe!

On behalf of the Kent State Police and your Kent State University family, thanks Chief!

Enjoy your well-earned retirement!

03/15/2024

Kent City PD, (retired)Officer Butcher #234, you have touched so many lives in your community, in the schools as an SRO, and with your brothers and sisters in our departments as well as across the county. Our most heartfelt condolences go out to his friends and family, both blood and blue. You will truly be missed.
May you rest in peace Officer Butcher, we'll take it from here. 🖤💙🖤

Share memories & support the family

02/27/2024

As Black History month wraps up, I thought I'd share some of our KSU PD history. Our first black male officer, Bill Hicks, 1959 and first black female officer, Crystal Lewis 1974. (Yes, that is Muhammad Ali in the picture too!)