Meet Battle Creek’s Three Police Chief Finalists on November 16th

Battle Creek residents can meet the three finalists for the city’s next police chief on November 16th, 2026.

The public meet-and-greet is scheduled from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the Davidson Building Auditorium at Kellogg Community College’s North Avenue campus, 450 North Avenue.

The finalists are Rodolfo “Rudy” Alcaraz, Rafael X. Diaz and Michael “Mike” Dobis.

Alcaraz is the police chief in Selma, California, and brings 30 years of public service along with training through the FBI National Academy.

Diaz most recently served as a captain with the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety and has more than 27 years of law-enforcement and public-safety leadership experience.

He is also a licensed attorney.

Dobis is chief ranger for Tennessee State Parks, overseeing public-safety operations across 70 state parks, and has more than 25 years of experience in law enforcement, emergency services and organizational management.

The finalists are visiting Battle Creek for a two-day selection process as the city prepares for Police Chief Shannon Bagley’s retirement by the end of 2026.

Bagley announced his retirement after more than 30 years in public safety and law enforcement.

The city retained Public Sector Search & Consulting to conduct a national search, with recruitment opening on September 18th, 2026, for four weeks.

Candidate materials were scheduled for review in October, followed by the finalist visit and formal interviews in November.

The community meeting gives residents a direct role in one of the city’s most consequential leadership transitions.

The city has said it wants a chief who values community engagement, supports officer development and continues strengthening trust between the Police Department and Battle Creek residents.

The meet-and-greet offers people a chance to hear how each candidate presents himself and to consider how each background might fit Battle Creek’s needs.

Residents may also gain a clearer sense of the leadership styles behind the résumés before city officials complete the remaining interviews.

During their visit, the candidates will take part in panel interviews, meet senior city staff and tour Battle Creek.

They are also scheduled to interview with the city manager and meet Police Department personnel on November 17th, 2026.

The city hopes to select the next chief before the end of the year so the incoming leader can make a smooth transition into the role.

No final selection has been made.

For residents, the November 16th gathering is the clearest opportunity to see the finalists in person before the city completes its decision.

The Davidson Building is on KCC’s North Avenue campus, and visitors should allow time to locate the auditorium and parking before the program begins.

Attendance is open to residents interested in the future direction of local policing and the relationship between the department and the community.

When can residents meet the Battle Creek police chief finalists?

The public meet-and-greet runs from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on November 16th, 2026.

Where will the police chief meet-and-greet take place?

It will be in the Davidson Building Auditorium at Kellogg Community College, 450 North Avenue in Battle Creek.

Who are the three finalists for Battle Creek police chief?

They are Rodolfo “Rudy” Alcaraz, Rafael X. Diaz and Michael “Mike” Dobis.