How to Become a Police Officer in Michigan

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