LIVONIA, MICH. – In a typical day as Director of Public Safety for the city of Southgate, Joseph Marsh gets involved in a host of activities -- reviewing budgets, meeting with city officials, engaging with community members, and overseeing the training and equipment needs of the city’s police and fire departments. His favorite part of the job is building up the departments’ personnel to be the best they can be to better serve the public. “We have had many challenges during my tenure,” he explained, “and each time it has been apparent that because of our investment in training, equipment, and our people, we have very capable first responders.”
Marsh began his career more than 24 years ago as an officer with the Detroit Police Department. He later joined the Southgate Police Department as a patrol officer and climbed the ranks from lieutenant to chief of police and then to his current role as Director of Public Safety. For several years, he was assigned as a Task Force Officer with the federal Drug Enforcement Administration.
Under his leadership, the Southgate Police Department achieved accreditation through the Michigan Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission in 2023, an honor earned by only a small number of police departments in the state. He also lends his expertise on a part-time basis to a human resource consulting firm, assisting with promotional panel interviews for police and fire departments statewide.
In addition to a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Madonna, Marsh earned an associate degree from Schoolcraft College and a master’s degree from Michigan State University. He also graduated from the Eastern Michigan University School of Police Staff and Command.
Marsh worked in law enforcement prior to enrolling at Madonna and continued working full-time as a patrol officer on the midnight shift while attending classes part-time. The load was heavy but something he wanted to do to accomplish his goals of becoming a director of public safety and teaching criminal justice. In addition to balancing work and studies, Marsh was a married father of two. “I needed to be disciplined and organized with my studies but also ensure that I was carving out family time for my wife and kids,” he shared. “Having a goal and being really intentional on accomplishing it was the key for me.”
One of the most valuable aspects of his Madonna education was the required religious studies coursework, which helped give him a fresh perspective. “By this time, I already had five or six years of police officer experience and was becoming jaded and a little frustrated with people,” he recalled. A class in medical ethics and a course called “Jesus Across the Millennia” helped provide him with “a different way of thinking about crucial matters in life and a strong Christian perspective, which at the time, was much needed in my life.”
Criminal Justice Professor Emeritus Barry Sherman was a major influence, providing subject matter knowledge as well as a healthy dose of encouragement and mentoring. “He was my advisor, and we had many talks where I would tell him about my struggles managing work, school, and home life,” Marsh remembered. “I know Professor Sherman was always there for me and it really inspired me to want to succeed through the program.”
Now, 16 years after graduating from Madonna, Marsh serves as an adjunct assistant professor, sharing his life experience and perspective with students in classes on white collar crime and criminology. “I want students to learn how to think critically, to make decisions confidently, and trust in their own abilities,” said Marsh.
Having found his calling in public service, Marsh encourages his students to also follow their hearts in choosing a career path. “If your career choice is something that moves you and is near and dear to your interests and heart, something that is more than just a job, but a passion, then you have found your WHY and will be successful.”
