As commander of the EMHSD, Sands will serve as the Deputy State Director of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, responsible for the statewide management and administration of emergency management and homeland security programs, as well as the supervision of the division's 70 employees.

Prior to his promotion, Sands served as commander of the Brighton Post where he was responsible for traffic patrols, criminal investigations and emergency services in Livingston County.

Sands enlisted with the department in 1987, and graduated as a member of the 102^nd Trooper Recruit School.  He has served at the Brighton, Grand Haven and Jackson posts, as well as commander of the Security, Private Investigator and Tax Enforcement Section, Field Operations Section, Criminal Investigation Section and Fire Marshal Division. 

During his career, Sands has held ranks of trooper, detective trooper, detective sergeant, first lieutenant, detective first lieutenant and now captain.

Sands is a graduate of Central Michigan University where he received a Bachelor of Science in public administration.  He is also a graduate of the 211^th Session of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. 

Sands, a native of Ann Arbor, is married and has three children.