Editing Thetford Township, Michigan (section)

===Modern era===
In 2001, the township began a police department by funding it from the general fund budget. The township board hired a part-time police Chief Thomas Kulcher at the time. Kulcher went on medical leave then resigned in 2007. A temporary police administrator was hired in Vienna Township Supervisor Anthony McKerchie, who then hired two part-time officers. A 1 mill levy to increase department staff was placed on the November 2007 ballot only to increase anti-police department sentiment and the levy failed at the ballot. In December 2008, McKerchie resigned. At a March 2008 board meeting, some residents called on the trustees to close the police department given the township was facing a $100-thousand deficit for the budget that was up for approval and greater presence of sheriff's deputies and State Police troopers.<ref name=fj1>{{cite news |last1=Abercronmbie |first1=Shena |title=Thetford Township police budget passes over residents' objections |url=http://blog.mlive.com/flintjournal/newsnow/2008/03/thetford_township_police_budge.html |access-date=August 23, 2018 |work=Flint Journal |publisher=MLive.com |date=March 25, 2008}}</ref>

On Monday November 27, 2017, the northern loop set of municipalities, including Thetford, began receiving water from the [[Karegnondi Water Authority]] pipeline and treated by Genesee County Drain Commission Water and Waste Division.<ref name="fj">{{cite news|last1=Acosta|first1=Roberto|title=New Genesee County treatment plant to begin delivering water Monday|url=http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2017/11/new_genesee_county_treatment_p.html|access-date=November 27, 2017|date=November 26, 2017}}</ref>

In 2008, the township police department started participating in the [[Defense Logistics Agency]]'s Law Enforcement Support Office (LESO) surplus equipment program. By 2015, the department had received through the program 450 valued at more than $1.1 million. Township Trustee Stan Piechnik and Thetford Township Supervisor Gary Stevens requested an inventory and storage location. This was also augmented by an audit that indicated that this equipment should be accounted for in an inventory. Per Piechnik and Stevens Police Chief Robert Kenny had not aided in this effort such that the duo started looking for the equipment themselves as Piechnik claims that the surplus equipment were being delivery to friends of Kenny. After assuming they had permission in May 2017 to be on private property to look for the equipment, the duo were given a citation by Kenny for trespassing. Kenny also handled the investigation, but the charges where dismissed by the township attorney. LESO contacted the township to indicate an investigation was ongoing into the township's participation.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Adams |first1=Dominic |title=Investigation started into rural township's $1 million of military surplus gear |url=https://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2017/12/thetford_township_being_invest.html |access-date=July 11, 2018 |work=Flint Journal |publisher=MLive Media Group |date=December 1, 2017}}</ref> Stevens then requested the Genesee County Sheriff to investigate. By December 24, 2017, a group of residents included Eugene Lehr, who was storing 20 LESO items on his property, had filed language for recall petitions for Piechnik and Stevens with language clarity hearing set for December 27.<ref>{{cite news |title=Thetford Township officials may face recall over military surplus spat |url=https://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2017/12/thetford_township_officials_ma.html |access-date=July 11, 2018 |work=Flint Journal |publisher=MLive Media Group |date=December 24, 2017}}</ref> The weekend after a township board on April 16, 2018 that had an heated exchange between Lehr and Stevens, equipment began showing up at the township offices.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Acosta |first1=Roberto |title=Tempers flare as military equipment shows up outside Thetford Township hall |url=https://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2018/04/military_equipment_shows_up_ou.html |access-date=July 11, 2018 |work=Flint Journal |publisher=MLive.com |date=April 24, 2018}}</ref> On April 26, 2018, the Sheriff's Office conducted a warranted search of the police department.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Acosta |first1=Roberto |title=Sheriff searches Thetford Township police station over military surplus items |url=https://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2018/04/investigators_search_thetford.html |access-date=July 11, 2018 |work=Flint Journal|publisher=MLive.com |date=April 26, 2018}}</ref> On May 7, 2018, an employee and father of the township clerk quit causing a dispute such that the township offices were close soon after opening.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Acosta |first1=Roberto |title=Argument causes Thetford Township to close hall 30 minutes into day |url=https://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2018/05/staff_argument_leads_to_thetfo.html |access-date=July 11, 2018 |work=Flint Journal |publisher=MLive.com |date=May 7, 2018}}</ref> In June 2018, an envelope with $4,700 was found with the LESO equipment being moved, so the conduct of the chief was placed on its late June meeting. With Kenny unable to attend, a special meeting was called for July 2, 2018.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Acosta |first1=Roberto |title=Future of township's top cop to be discussed after envelope of cash discovered |url=https://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2018/06/thetford_township_police_chief.html |access-date=July 11, 2018 |work=Flint Journal |publisher=MLive.com |date=June 28, 2018}}</ref> With only three board members attending, the special meeting was canceled.<ref name=fj0>{{cite news |last1=Acosta |first1=Roberto |title=Lack of quorum cancels special meeting to discuss Thetford police chief |url=https://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2018/07/lack_of_quorum_cancels_special.html |access-date=July 11, 2018 |work=Flint Journal |publisher=MLive Media Group |date=July 2, 2018}}</ref> One of the special meeting attendees then confronted and threatened Stevens the next day at the township offices. July 10 was the deadline for the recall petitions with no word if any were turned in the county clerk-register office. Steven planned to call another special meeting the week of July 16, 2018.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Acosta |first1=Roberto |title=Cops called after heated Thetford Township meeting results in confrontation |url=https://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2018/07/supervisor_files_police_report.html?__vfz=medium%3Dtray_notification# |access-date=July 11, 2018 |work=Flint Journal |publisher=MLive Media |date=July 10, 2018}}</ref> While no additional special meeting was called, the board voted at the late July meeting to place a proposal on the ballot whether or not the township resident want their own police department. With the need to hold hearings and approve the ballot language, the township attorney advised them they did not have enough time and discontinue the effort.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Acosta |first1=Roberto |title=Voters in Thetford Township won't decide on police coverage |url=https://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2018/08/voters_in_thetford_township_wo.html |access-date=August 23, 2018 |work=Flint Journal |publisher=MLive Media Group |date=August 22, 2018}}</ref> Kenny was then arrested on August 22 on two five year charges, [[embezzlement]] and [[obstruction of justice]], and arranged the next day. A special meeting was called for August 24 to decide if to place him on leave.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Acosta |first1=Roberto |title=Special meeting planned on future of Thetford Township police chief |url=https://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2018/08/special_meeting_planned_to_dec.html |access-date=August 23, 2018 |work=Flint Journal |publisher=Mlive Media Group |date=August 23, 2018}}</ref>