After you meet the requirements to become a Michigan police officer you may notify a police department of your intent to apply. They will provide candidates with a packet of information and application components and requirements. Your first action should be to take and pass the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES) test. This test is a two part test which contains a written part and a physical fitness part. In order to continue with the hiring process, candidates must pass both portions (they also must pay for these tests out of pocket: approximately $107 for both). After passing the test, the remainder of the application process is fairly straightforward. It includes: background check, oral board interview, psychological and medical screening etc. Once a candidate successfully completes all the step, the police department will determine if they are going to send them to a basic training academy in Michigan.
Becoming a Police Officer in Michigan
The minimum requirements necessary to seek employment as an officer of the law in Michigan are for the person to be at least 18 years of age (note that national average is 21), US citizen, valid clean Michigan driver’s license/record, 20/20 vision (can use corrected lenses) with color vision and depth perception, a GED or high-school diploma, and a clean criminal history. If an individual meets these requirement they may attempt the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES) test, and upon passing this go through the application process in order to possibly be hired as a Michigan Police Officer.
Salary for Police Officer Jobs in Michigan
Michigan police officers have an average of about $53,000 a year. Which is right around the national average. Officers may be paid more or less depending on where in Michigan they work, how much experience they have, and what their level of education and rank is. Criminal investigators, detectives and other higher-level officers in Michigan earn an average of $71,000 per year.
Law Enforcement Degrees Offered in Michigan
If you are interested in attaining a degree prior to going into law enforcement in Michigan (which may be advisable as candidates with a degree may have an edge over other candidates and also would receive higher wages) refer to the following list as it includes some popular law enforcement schools and programs in the state of Michigan.
- Adrian College
110 S Madison Street, Adrian, MI 49221
517-264-3154
- Alpena Community College
665 Johnson Street, Alpena, MI 49707
855-664-7554
- Baker College
Various locations across Michigan, 810-766-4000
- Bay de Noc Community College
2001 N Lincoln Road, Escanaba, MI 49829
+06-786-5802
- Eastern Michigan University
202 Welch Hall, Ypsilanti, MI 48197
734-487-1849
- Grand Rapids Community College
142 Bostwick Avenue NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
616-234-4000
- Jackson College
2111 Emmons Road, Jackson, MI 49201
517-787-0800
- Kalamazoo Valley Community College
6767 W O Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49009
269-488-4400
- Kellogg Community College
450 North Avenue, Battle Creek, MI 49017
269-965-3931
- Lake Michigan College
2755 E Napier Avenue, Benton Harbor, MI 49022
269-927-1000
- Lansing Community College
419 N Capitol Avenue, Lansing, MI 48901
517-483-1957
- Macomb Community College
14500 E Twelve Mile Road, Warren, MI 48088
866-622-6621
- Marygrove College
8425 W McNichols Road, Detroit, MI 48221
313-927-1200
- Michigan State University
220 Throwbridge Road, East Lansing, MI 48824
517-355-1855
- Monroe County Community College
1555 S Raisinville Road, Monroe, MI 48161
734-242-7300
- North Central Michigan College
1515 Howard Street, Petoskey, MI 49770
888-298-6605
- Northern Michigan University
1401 Presque Isle Avenue, Marquette, MI 49855
906-227-1000
- Northwestern Michigan College
1701 E Front Street, Traverse City, MI 49686
231-995-1000
- Olivet College
320 South Main Street, Olivet, MI 49076
800-456-7189
- Saginaw Valley State University
7400 Bay Road, University Center, MI 48710
989-964-4000
- Spring Arbor University
106 E Main Street, Spring Arbor, MI 49283
800-968-0011
- St Clair County Community College
323 Erie Street, Port Huron, MI 48061
810-984-3881
- University of Detroit Mercy
4001 West McNichols Road, Detroit, MI 48221
313-993-1000
- University of Michigan-Dearborn
4901 Evergreen Road, Dearborn, MI 48128
313-593-5000
- University of Michigan-Flint
303 E Kearsley, Flint, MI 48502
810-762-3300
- Washtenaw Community College
4800 East Huron River, Ann Arbor, MI 48105
734-973-3543
- Wayne County Community College District
801 W Fort Street, Detroit, MI 48226
313-496-2600
- Wayne State University
42 W Warren Avenue, Detroit, MI 48202
313-577-2424
- West Shore Community College
3000 N Stiles Road, Scottville, MI 49454
231-845-6211
- Western Michigan University
1903 W Michigan Avenue, Kalamazoo, MI 49008
269-387-1000