Kyle Bowman was content in his career with the Michigan State Police.

The former trooper had worked his way on to the security detail for then Governor John Engler.

Then Sept. 11, 2001 happened. Everything changed.

“That hit a lot of us very emotionally,” said Bowman, ’07 who also earned his master’s degree in Homeland Security from Siena Heights University in 2009. “That started it for me.” That “it” was his interest in taking more of a leadership role in law enforcement. Currently, Bowman is the director/commander of the MSP’s Michigan Intelligence Operations Center. This “fusion center” is one of 78 nationwide that oversees the planning, collection and sharing of public safety information and provides support for critical incidents in the state of Michigan.

Bowman said his agency partners with other public safety agencies after a critical incident occurs. He oversees the main office in Lansing and also supervises a second site in Detroit. There are approximately 35 people who report to him.

“We are a support service-type agency for local agencies,” he said. “We also provide threat information to leadership in the (Michigan) State Police as well as to the governor’s office.”

For example, when a local “critical incident” occurs, his agency can be asked to come in and develop an analytical report. These analysts work directly with the investigators to help not only to identify the suspects, but to see if there are other potential crimes connected to the case.

One particular case not only had the murder suspects arrested, but a “bigger picture” federal weapons case was also solved in the process, taking approximately 100 guns off the streets, Bowman said.

Another key function of his office is helping to monitor and assess special events, such as the Detroit Grand Prix. Besides providing “boots on the ground,” Bowman said the center collects information before the event to provide a threat assessment. They also virtually track any suspicious activity such as social media posts or news feeds for any potential connections.

Bowman’s path to law enforcement was a winding one. He originally started as a Siena Heights business major on the Adrian campus in 1989, but left school during his sophomore year to work in security. Working security during the 1994 World Cup match at the Pontiac Silverdome, Bowman realized he wanted to make law enforcement his career.

“I wanted to be relevant,” said Bowman, who returned to Siena Heights University, this time completing his bachelor’s degree at the Lansing Community College campus while a member of the MSP—more than 18 years later. “I wanted to have an impact on something.”

Starting as a trooper with the Michigan State Police, Bowman advanced from detective to assistant section commander to lieutenant. He was former Governor Jennifer Granholm’s advisor to the Department of Homeland Security. He assisted with the “Underwear Bomber” case at the Metro Detroit Airport, which gave him his first taste of his current role.

“It sparked my interest in a leadership role,” Bowman said. “I feel like I have a unique ability to have an impact and prevent those things from happening.”

Bowman got his chance when he was hired as MIOC commander in July 2013. After completing some initial training, including an executive leadership program with the prestigious Naval Postgraduate School’s Center for Homeland Defense, Bowman said he is up to the challenge that his current position provides.

“I’m at that point where I think there is a lot I can do in my current position,” he said. “I’m hoping whatever I accomplish over the next (few) years opens the door for the next challenge.”