Public Safety Director

In January 2006, Michael Blackwell was appointed as the City of Union’s Director of Public Safety. He oversees the day-to-day operations of both the Police and Fire & Rescue departments, serving as Chief of both departments.

Chief Blackwell began his service to the City of Union in 1997 with the Union Police Department. His first assignment with the department was as a patrol officer. In January 2000, he earned a promotion to the rank of lieutenant where he managed the day-to-day operations of the Police Department, including patrol, personnel and investigations. In February 2003, he was promoted to the rank of Chief of Police.

Chief Blackwell began his law enforcement career in 1995 after graduating from the Sinclair Community College Police Academy. He served as a police officer for the Village of Enon and for the Perry Township Police Department. While working for those two police departments, he also worked for the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office. He also served our country as an Infantry soldier in the U.S. Army for three years.

Chief Blackwell has been in the fire service since 1988 where he was a cadet with the Randolph Township Fire Department. After graduating from Northmont High School in 1990, he became an active member of the department and has been a member of the Union Fire & Rescue Department since 2000. He is a Level 2 Firefighter and is a Certified Fire and Explosives Investigator (CFEI). He serves as the City’s lead fire and arson investigator.