Southfield PD: Where Community Policing and Tactical Excellence Unite

by Thin Blue Line USA March 26, 2026

Some departments stick to tradition. Others chase innovation. In Southfield, Michigan, the police department does both—with a boldness and creativity that’s impossible to ignore. This is an agency where community connection isn’t just a talking point; it’s lived out, seen in handshakes at neighborhood events, and reflected in every challenge coin proudly exchanged among officers.

Few places better capture what it means to balance proactive community engagement with tactical excellence than Southfield. And now, as part of our Challenge Coin Club, Thin Blue Line USA is thrilled to shine a spotlight on two incredible coins that celebrate all that makes this department exceptional.

We had the opportunity to speak with Officer Steven Hendricks of the Southfield Police Department’s Community Policing Unit. A United States Air Force veteran who served ten years in the Security Forces (military police) before joining Southfield, Officer Hendricks offered a fascinating look into what makes this medium-sized agency operate with the capabilities of a major city department.

Through our conversation, we explored the department's proactive community initiatives and the story behind two distinct challenge coins—a morale-boosting SWAT team coin and a highly interactive PIT maneuver coin that features a physical spinning car.

A Medium-Sized Department with Major Capabilities

Located in the southwest corner of Oakland County, Michigan, the city of Southfield covers roughly 26 square miles and serves a population of about 80,000 residents. The Southfield Police Department operates with approximately 114 sworn officers. While considered a medium-sized agency, it brings large-department resources to the table.

Southfield PD features a dedicated detective bureau, a K9 unit, a drone program, and its own Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team equipped with an armored Bearcat vehicle. Officer Hendricks, who spent five years working midnight patrol before joining the SWAT team, understands these operational strengths firsthand. Now working in community policing, crime prevention, and recruiting, he brings a wealth of tactical and instructional experience to the public.

"They are human beings with families and hobbies, trained and professional, and do their best to get the job done," Officer Hendricks shared when discussing his fellow officers. "We have pride in the badge and the city of Southfield and the police department."

Standing Out in Law Enforcement Recruitment

Recruiting top talent remains a critical focus for Southfield PD. The department takes a proactive, highly approachable stance on hiring. Instead of waiting for applicants to come to them, the recruiting team actively engages with the community on social media and at in-person events.

To break down barriers and appear more approachable, recruiters often wear casual attire rather than formal uniforms during hiring events. Furthermore, the department offers a highly attractive benefit that is rare in the region: a 20-year retirement policy, regardless of age. This allows officers who start young to retire early and enjoy their lives or pursue second careers, making Southfield a highly desirable place to work.

Building Bridges: The Community Policing Unit

The Southfield Police Department firmly believes that effective policing requires a strong partnership with the community. The Community Policing Unit manages a variety of programs designed to educate the public, prevent crime, and build lasting trust.

Officer Hendricks and his team conduct comprehensive security surveys and threat assessments for local residents and businesses. They base these assessments on national best practices, giving the community actionable advice to protect their properties.

Engaging the Public Through Meaningful Events

Community events play a massive role in Southfield's outreach strategy. The department hosts large-scale gatherings that bring thousands of residents together. Their recent "Trunk or Treat" event drew an impressive 5,000 to 6,000 attendees, providing a safe and fun environment for local families. During the holidays, their "Slay of Giving" initiative focuses on distributing donated toys to children, ensuring a brighter season for families in need.

One of their most impactful programs is the nine-week Citizens Police Academy. This immersive program gives residents a realistic snapshot of the department's various bureaus. Attendees get to experience mock crime scenes and watch live demonstrations from the K9 and drone units. This transparency fosters a deep mutual respect between the officers and the citizens they protect.

Forged in Pride: The Southfield SWAT Team Coin

Challenge coins hold a special place in law enforcement culture. They represent shared sacrifice, specialized training, and unit pride. Southfield PD maintains a close relationship with Thin Blue Line USA, sourcing the majority of their coins through this partnership. Recently, the department decided it was time to create a dedicated coin for their SWAT team to coincide with a revamp of the unit's branding, which included changing their name from "CERT" back to "SWAT."

Design Elements of the SWAT Coin

The SWAT coin serves primarily as a morale booster. The department distributed it first to the tactical team members, and then made it available to the rest of the agency. The design is a masterclass in striking, meaningful symbolism.

The front of the coin features an intricate, antique-bronze finish. The outer rings proudly display the specialized roles within the team: SNIPER, OPERATOR, and NEGOTIATOR. At its center is a bold dark green shield that reads "SOUTHFIELD SWAT" and "SPECIAL WEAPONS AND TACTICS." Behind this shield stretches a detailed city skyline, illustrating Southfield’s unique claim as the “center of it all”—a city defined by the intersection of two major interstates, with the dramatic backdrop of the Detroit cityscape on the horizon. This visual not only showcases the bustling, urban environment the team protects but also celebrates the department’s strategic position and diverse challenges.

The reverse side of the coin honors the department's core identity. It showcases a stylized eagle with its wings spread wide, clutching a tactical rifle. Next to the eagle rests the Southfield Police badge, anchored by a vibrant blue stripe representing the Thin Blue Line. The inclusion of embossed stars adds a patriotic flair to the design. It is a clean, powerful piece of metal that perfectly captures the professionalism of the unit.

Spinning into Action: The Interactive PIT Maneuver Coin

While the SWAT coin represents tactical pride, the department's second featured coin highlights operational innovation with a touch of humor. Southfield PD is one of the few departments in its area that still maintains a Pursuit Intervention Technique (PIT) policy. The department actively uses the PIT maneuver to safely and effectively stop pursuits involving violent felonies.

To honor this specific capability, a detective within the department came up with an incredibly unique idea for a challenge coin: a coin featuring a physical, spinning car mechanism.

A Functional Work of Art

This coin is unlike anything most collectors have ever seen. The coin features a raised, textured border. The center of the piece displays two distinct miniature car models rendered in high relief. The bottom car represents the police cruiser executing the PIT maneuver and the top car represents the fleeing suspect vehicle.

Thanks to a clever mechanical design, the suspect vehicle actually spins on the face of the coin, perfectly simulating the physical dynamics of a successful PIT maneuver. This interactive element makes the coin an instant conversation starter.

"We like to put out good stuff and let everybody see it," Officer Hendricks noted. This spinning coin does exactly that. It conveys the department’s high level of training, their commitment to stopping dangerous criminals, and their creative sense of humor.

A Legacy of Service and Excellence

The Southfield Police Department exemplifies what it means to be a modern, adaptable law enforcement agency. Whether they are apprehending a dangerous criminal with their SWAT team, executing a precise PIT maneuver to stop a fleeing felon, or handing out toys to children at a community event, the officers of Southfield PD do it with unmatched professionalism.

These two unique challenge coins—the proud, skyline-adorned SWAT coin and the innovative, spinning PIT coin—serve as perfect representations of the department itself. They are crafted with care, designed with purpose, and backed by a deep sense of pride in the badge.

By combining the tactical capabilities of a large city with the community-focused heart of a small town, Southfield PD continues to set a high standard for policing in Michigan. Thin Blue Line USA is immensely proud to partner with them to bring their story, and their incredible challenge coins, to life.

Interested in joining the Challenge Coin Club? Click Here to become a member.
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