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A lifelong resident of Jackson, Matthew Heins graduated from Hanover-Horton High School in 1985. He attended Jackson College for two years before transferring to Michigan State University where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. In 1992, he returned to school at Western Michigan University and completed a master’s degree in public administration in 1995.

Mr. Heins was hired by the Jackson Police Department in 1989. He worked various assignments beginning with patrol and worked his way through the ranks until being appointed as Chief of Police in December 2007. In 2011 he was assigned additional responsibility as the Fire Chief under the title Director of Police and Fire Services. He retired from that position in December 2016 to become security manager for Henry Ford Allegiance Health in Jackson, MI.

He is a past graduate of the Leadership Academy, Northwestern School of Police Staff and Command, and the FBI National Academy. He has been an adjunct professor at Jackson College as well as Siena Heights University.

His involvement within the community is diverse having served in various capacities in local organizations. Within the Northwest Jackson Kiwanis Club he has served as a member, a board member, and as board president. He has also been a member of the Elks and served on their board. In December 2007, he completed his ninth year as a board member for Cascades Humane Society; for two of those years, he was the board president.