20 Years of Law Enforcement at the Terminal Comes to an End as Kalamazoo Airport Cuts Costs

After more than two decades of having sworn sheriff's deputies stationed inside the terminal, the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport has replaced on-site law enforcement with private security as a cost-saving measure.

The Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office (KCSO) stopped providing airport security on February 28 of this year, ending an era that began after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks when hijackers turned planes into weapons.

"We don't get any general fund money, any tax money, so we're always looking at our bottom line," said Craig Williams, the airport director in an interview with NowKalamazoo. "And we're always looking at ways we could handle our security services a little more efficiently."

The airport paid $458,000 in cost reimbursements to KCSO last year alone.

Private Security Company Pro-Tec Takes Over

The airport has contracted with Pro-Tec, a private security company, to provide security at the facility. Under the new arrangement, Pro-Tec or airport staff will contact the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety if there's an emergency or they need local law enforcement.

Williams confirmed that the change meets federal requirements and received Transportation Security Administration approval before implementation. He noted there was no period when the airport was without security coverage.

"They're ensuring that people are not getting out of control, and if there's any issues, then we call law enforcement," Williams said.

The company has been contracted for the next three years through a combined fire and security contract that totals approximately $815,000 for 2026. Pro-Tec has been an established vendor to the airport since 1984 for fire and EMT services.

Why the Sheriff's Office Couldn't Compete

The shift followed months of negotiation between the airport and KCSO. Chief Deputy Logan Bishop explained that the airport first approached the sheriff's office last July with budget concerns and a proposal to eliminate a supervisory personnel role following the retirement of the unit sergeant.

"We didn't think that was a great idea," Bishop said. "The unit required some direct supervision, and so we committed to thinking about some other options where they could save some money."

KCSO offered an alternative cost-saving model that reduced hours and converted full-time deputies to part-time positions. However, when the airport issued a countywide request for proposals, their costs nearly doubled the previous arrangement.

"The airport's costs under the old arrangement covered only deputies' wages, overtime, and benefits," Bishop explained. "The Sheriff's Office paid for everything else, including vehicles, equipment, uniforms, training, and certifications."

When the airport issued its Request For Proposals, it required full-time staffing, supervision, vehicles, and administrative fees, which Bishop said drove KCSO's proposal to nearly double the airport's previous costs.

What the Deputies Did

The deputies assigned to the airport handled a wide range of duties in 2025, including:

  • Gate coverage during flight operations
  • Responding to alarms on the perimeter and inside the terminal
  • Monitoring security cameras
  • Collecting contraband from TSA personnel
  • Handling rental-car theft reports
  • Addressing suspicious activity or people entering the building overnight

It was common for a KCSO vehicle to be parked outside the terminal. The unit responded to approximately 110 calls for service in 2025.

Loss of Law Enforcement Authority

The new security personnel do not have the same authority to detain or carry weapons as sheriff's deputies, meaning public safety must still be alerted in case of emergency or legal issue.

"They are not law enforcement officers," Bishop said. "Time is often of the essence when it's an emergent situation, so it could potentially be an issue."

TSA regulation 49 CFR Part 1542 states that airports must have a description of law enforcement support in their TSA-approved security plan, but does not require sworn officers inside the terminal around the clock.

Officials' Perspectives

County Commissioner John Gisler, a member of the county board that oversees the airport's operations, said the board approved the change after reviewing the airport's budget constraints and the sheriff's revised pricing.

"This vendor has already been an established vendor to the airport since 1984 for fire and EMT, so that made it a lot easier for some of the newer board members to vote yes," Gisler said.

Kalamazoo County Vice Chair Pro Temp Jeff Heppler noted at the March 17 county commission meeting that there are current discussions underway to ensure that "it's a fair price that those folks pay," which is "the better part of almost $2 million" a year total for KCSO's contracted services to townships and villages throughout the county.

No Hostile Separation

The deputies who had been assigned to the airport have since taken other positions within the Sheriff's Office.

"There was not a hostile separation," Bishop said. "We'd be happy to be back out there, but we need to compensate the people that work out there… the people that respond to the emergencies."

Both agencies confirmed the change was a fiscal decision made in the interest of their own organizations. The airport ultimately selected Pro-Tec when their combined contract totaled approximately $815,000, significantly less than what KCSO was charging for full service.

What Happens Next

When there's an emergency or a security issue at the airport, Pro-Tec security personnel will contact the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety for law enforcement support. The airport will still have Transportation Security Administration staff on-site to handle security screening.

The change represents a significant shift in how the airport handles security, moving from a model that included sworn law enforcement to one that relies on private security contractors who can respond to situations but cannot make arrests or carry weapons.

"They're ensuring that people are not getting out of control, and if there's any issues, then we call law enforcement," Williams said.

The airport's Kalamazoo County Aeronautics Board of Trustees approved the change after reviewing the budget constraints and the sheriff's revised pricing proposal.