Ray Hall, director of the Department of Public Safety at the University of Michigan-Flint, will conclude his law enforcement career in September after more than 40 years in the field, including 14.5 years of service to the university and the surrounding Flint community.
Hall said he originally planned to leave at the end of August but agreed to remain for several additional weeks while the search for his replacement continues. Hall’s last official day as director is still undetermined. After leaving the position, he plans to pursue a longtime goal of starting a business.
“I’ve been in law enforcement for just over 40 years, and 14 and a half years on this campus,” Hall said. “My bucket list has always been an attempt to be successful in business.”
During his time at UM-Flint, Hall said one of his primary accomplishments was working with others to improve public safety. He attributed the department’s work to those groups rather than his individual leadership.
“I could never take credit for what we’ve accomplished here at DPS,” Hall said. “The success belongs to the officers, our dispatchers, our security, our students here on campus, our faculty and our community partners.”
Hall identified limited resources as one of the biggest challenges facing public safety in Flint. He said crime is influenced by multiple factors, including literacy challenges, homelessness, drug addiction and mental illness, requiring different approaches and resources.
He also said the relationship between law enforcement and the Flint community has changed during his time in leadership. Hall recalled seeing young people throw rocks at police during his first months in Flint. He said police-community relationships have since improved, although additional work remains.
“Real reform has happened here in Flint, as far as policing and public safety goes,” Hall said. “There’s much more work that needs to be done.”
Hall said violence involving young people remains a significant public safety challenge. He also pointed to the need for continued cooperation among the university, law enforcement agencies and community organizations.
Samantha Jarbou, president of student government at UM-Flint, said Hall worked with student government on initiatives that support students and the community. She said he was involved with Safe Ride and community cleanups.
“Chief has always been someone we could count on, and he has consistently gone above and beyond to support our students and our campus community,” Jarbou said.
Kenyetta Dotson, founder of WOW Outreach, said she has worked with Hall for more than 20 years on violence prevention, youth engagement, community outreach and public safety initiatives.
“I believe community safety is a shared responsibility. It requires more than responding when something happens; it requires listening, building relationships, prevention, trust, communication, accountability and a willingness to be present in the community before a crisis occurs,” Dotson said.
He advised the next chief to get to know department employees and the campus community, remain transparent and follow through on commitments.
“If you say it, do it,” Hall said. “You need to be authentic.”
As he prepares to leave, Hall said he will miss regularly interacting with students and community members. He said he hopes to remain involved in Flint and the university community after his retirement.
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