Captain Clifton is a fifteen (15) year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office. He began his career as a Corrections Officer in 2007, was promoted to Sergeant in 2015 and Lieutenant in 2020. He has served in many capacities during his career with the Sheriff’s Office including Classification Officer, Trustee Supervisor, and Field Training Officer (FTO). He is a lead instructor for Direct Supervision (DS), Inmate Behavior Management (IBM), Strategic Inmate Management (SIM), Verbal De-escalation and the use of Body Worn Cameras (BWC). Captain Clifton is also certified in and a trainer for mental health crisis intervention (CIT). He was named Corrections Supervisor of the year in 2018, is the recipient of a Unit Citation, and has been featured in and assisted with the development of our Beyond the Badge video production series regarding the jail. Presently, he serves as the co-chair for the Community Policing and Crime Reduction committee of the Sheriff’s 21st Century Policing Compliance Commission.
Captain Clifton is a graduate of the Eastern Michigan University Police School of Staff and Command (2018), where he was the recipient of the “best research paper and presentation” award for his discussion of the Direct Supervision operational philosophy of inmate management in correctional institutions. He is in the process of completing his Bachelor’s Degree in Public Safety at Sienna Heights University.
Busy within the community while off-duty, Captain Clifton has served as a volunteer coach for Ypsilanti Township youth sports programs, coached football at Ann Arbor Pioneer High School and at his alma mater, Ypsilanti High School. He also takes time to visit with youth in area pre-schools, elementary schools, and high schools where he hopes to inspire young men and women to choose a career in criminal justice, just as former Washtenaw County Deputies did for him.
David has been immersed in the Captain’s role in an acting capacity since the beginning of 2022, with this appointment effective February 13th, 2022. Please join the Sheriff in congratulating Captain Clifton upon his appointment and new leadership role within the Sheriff’s Office.