The Friends of the Ypsilanti Police Department is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization governed by a volunteer board of directors. Because of this, 100% of our revenue goes toward enhancing Ypsilanti and its citizens.

We focus on developing and maintaining quality programs that help the Ypsilanti Police Department’s community projects. We believe that these educational and awareness programs result in increased safety and economic viability in the Ypsilanti community.

Created in 1996 by concerned citizens, our purpose is to:

• promote and enhance the positive image of the Ypsilanti Police Department
• fund valuable programs beyond the means of the department's budget
• constructively interact between our police and our community

Major sources of funding are:

• great Ypsilanti business sponsors

• the annual Rubber Duck River Race held during the Ypsilanti Heritage Festival.
• since 2006, an annual fundraiser called "Putting the 'Serve' in 'Protect and Serve'," in conjunction with the Ypsilanti Jaycees and Cady’s Grill & Bar
• tax-deductible donations. Because of our volunteer nature, there are no administrative fees. The full amount of each donation goes toward the programs we sponsor.

In 2007, we distributed almost $6,000. Over the years, the Friends has proudly sponsored a wide variety of projects including:

• Citizens’ Police Academy
• Middle School Police Academy
• Middle School vs. YPD basketball games
• Volunteer Service Corp
• fingerprinting program for kindergartners
• child safety seat program
• defibrillators for police vehicles
• patrol bikes for special events such as the Heritage Festival
• Shop with a Cop
• Adopt a Family
• bike safety program
• gifts that officers on patrol can give to children
• YPD open house & picnic
• restoration and display of historical YPD photos

Our goals are to:

• establish and encourage positive public relations and leadership
• increase community awareness, involvement and support for the YPD and their projects
• provide positive educational activities for high risk and minority youth

Volunteer Board of Directors:

Diane Keller, President

Robert Miller, Vice President

Megan Turf, Treasurer

Greg Lyon, Secretary

Marie Paratto, Director

Cindy Norton, Director