One of the toughest jobs out there is being a law enforcement officer. It is an interesting job that comes with a lot of risks.
Depending on your area of specialization and where you work, your job could range from just carrying out a normal patrol procedure in your jurisdiction, making sure citizens adhere to traffic rules, settling domestic violence, intercepting a robbery attack, or handling a juvenile issue, all of which could escalate to bigger issues like murder, drug syndicates, accidents, etc. if not handled properly.
According to the data collected by the FBI, Michigan has roughly 19,000 police officers working in 600 state, local, and county departments.
Also, according to the US Bureau of Justice Statistics 2008 Census of State and Local Law Enforcement Agencies, Michigan had 571 law enforcement agencies employing 19,009 sworn police officers, 190 for every 100,000 citizens.
If you reside in and around Michigan and you’d like an interesting and fulfilling career, you should consider law enforcement. You’ll not only be fulfilling your dreams but also ensuring the protection and safety of lives and properties.
There are lots of police schools in Michigan that you can select from and we’ve made the process easier for you by compiling a list of the best police academies in Michigan. You’ll also find the cost of attending one, the duration length, and other important information you’ll need to hasten your decision.
Table of contents
- What is a Police Academy?
- Why Attend a Police Academy in Michigan?
- Which Body Accredits Police Academy in Michigan?
- How Many Police Academies are in Michigan?
- How Long is the Police Academy in Michigan?
- How Long Does it Take to Become a Police Officer in Michigan?
- How Much is the Police Academy in Michigan?
- How Do I Get into a Police Academy in Michigan?
- What are the 10 Best Police Academies in Michigan?
- Conclusion
- FAQs
- Conclusion
- References
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What is a Police Academy?
A police academy is a training school for police recruits. It is also known as a law enforcement college, academy, or university. Wikipedia.
A police academy is a school that trains people or students interested in pursuing law enforcement as a career. To become a police recruit, you’ll have to go through various background checks which include medical requirements, driving skills, examination, legal training, physical requirements, equipment training, and firearm training.
At the police academy, students are taught state laws, traffic control, criminal investigation, patrol procedures, defensive driving, self-defense, first aid, and computer skills. They also go on field trips to practice what they were in class.
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Why Attend a Police Academy in Michigan?
There’s this slogan that says, police are your best friend and this statement is not far from the truth. Police officers are one of the first respondents to a crime scene. After graduating from a police academy in Michigan, you’ll be able to:
1. Enforce the law
This is one of the most important roles of a police officer. At the Michigan police academy, you’ll be taught how to enforce law and order.
You’ll also be educated on the importance of lives and properties and how to protect them from danger.
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As a police student in a police school in Michigan, you’ll learn how to handle antisocial behaviors like robbery, arson, murder, and burglary, and how to ensure that the issue does not escalate.
You should be able to apprehend a criminal without causing much damage.
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3. Patrol your Jurisdiction
As a police officer, you’ll be assigned to a jurisdiction where you’ll ensure that the citizens are not breaking any law and that things are going on smoothly.
A Michigan police academy will educate you on how to effectively carry out patrol procedures.
Most of the police academies in Michigan use advanced technology to educate students, you also get to have hands-on experience working with similar tasks related to law enforcement.
The instructors at most Michigan police training centers are experts who are either working as law enforcement officers or retirees with years of experience.
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Which Body Accredits Police Academy in Michigan?
Before applying to a police academy in Michigan, it is very important for you to find out if the academy is accredited. It would be very disheartening to find out after your enrollment that the academy you chose is not accredited.
The body that accredits the police academy in the USA is The Commission on Accreditation For Law Enforcement Agencies. This body was established in 1979.
While the body in charge of accrediting police academies in Michigan is the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards. Ensure you enroll in a police academy accredited by one of these bodies.
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How Many Police Academies are in Michigan?
There are about 20 schools and educational facilities offering law enforcement programs some of which are police training academies.
The other schools have public service programs where you can choose law enforcement as a course of study.
How Long is the Police Academy in Michigan?
Normally, police academies in Michigan require a minimum of 594 hours for training students, which is the state’s basic training curriculum.
Some colleges and police schools in Michigan take 17-26 hours for basic police training. The length of the police training program depends on the police academy you registered at. Most times it could last up to 6 months.
Police graduates are expected to pass a licensing exam set by the state. An advanced police school program lasts for 2-4 years if you want to get an associate degree.
How Long Does it Take to Become a Police Officer in Michigan?
The amount of time it takes for you to become a police officer in Michigan depends on how dedicated you are to your training and how fast you can learn.
You’ll also need to pass the exams set by the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and then undergo field training to get certified.
At most you’ll need 6 months to become a qualified police officer in Michigan.
How Much is the Police Academy in Michigan?
The cost of a police academy in Michigan depends on the police school you choose, and the duration of the program if you’re doing full-time, part-time, online, or in-person training.
The average amount you’ll spend at a Michigan police academy is $6,000 and this includes tuition fees, uniforms, boots, and any other costs associated with a police academy.
How Do I Get into a Police Academy in Michigan?
These are the steps you should follow if you want to become a police officer.
1. Have the Required Educational Background
Before applying for a police academy in Michigan ensure, you have a high school diploma or GED from an approved school.
You can also use a college degree from an accredited institution to apply.
2. Begin your Application
Before applying to any police academy in Michigan, ensure you’ve carried out thorough research about the police school and its academic requirements.
3. Get Accepted
When your application is received, you’ll be required to submit lots of documents. After your documents are approved, you can start your training.
4. Study hard, be determined, and complete your police training successfully.
Below are some requirements you’ll need to successfully apply and get accepted into a Michigan police academy:
- You must be not less than 18 years.
- Be a citizen of the United States of America
- Have a high school diploma or GED
- No previous felony convictions
- Possess a good moral character
- Possess a valid operator or chauffeur’s license
- Be agile and physically fit
- Possess excellent communication skills
- Be willing and ready to work at all times, in any situation, and any environment
- Always be available for emergencies
What are the 10 Best Police Academies in Michigan?
Here are the 10 Best Police Academies in Michigan:
- Delta College
- Ferris State University
- Michigan State Police Training Academy
- Oakland Police Academy
- Mott Community College
- Macomb Community College
- Lake Superior State University
- Kellogg Community College
- Kalamazoo Valley Community College
- Northern Michigan University
1. Delta College
Delta College is located in Michigan, it started operations in 1961, with 2,600 students. They enroll about 9,000 students annually now.
Delta’s students vary from high school students taking dual enrollment classes to old people looking for more knowledge to develop their skills. It is one of the best community colleges in Michigan.
Delta offers more than 140 courses amongst which is criminal justice. Since its inception, they’ve trained hundreds of police officers. The college’s 17-week police training program is approved by the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement over Standards (MCOLES).
The school’s program will help in developing your knowledge and skills toward a successful career as a police officer. Delta’s police academy instructors are skilled experts who have worked for the Michigan police station, FBI, ATF, etc.
Delta’s police recruits will be trained in topics like federal laws, human trafficking, child abduction, auto theft, CCW laws, DNR laws, computer crimes, and lots of other interesting topics.
After completing your training you’ll be awarded a certificate of achievement. The cost of attending Delta college for in-state students is $8,194 and for out-of-district students $9,605.
The fees cover both tuition, uniforms, and training materials. Scholarships are also available for eligible students.
2. Ferris State University
Ferris is a public university located in Big Rapids, Michigan. It was founded in 1884. The university offers programs ranging from associate degrees to doctoral degrees.
Ferris offers more than 30 academic courses covering areas like marketing, finance, information security, and so much more, designed in a way that gets students ready for the labor market.
The criminal justice program at the university is designed to train police recruits for a successful career in law enforcement. You’ll be taught by experts on the latest theoretical knowledge and participate in real fieldwork.
As a student at Ferris, you can decide to do your degree program by choosing one of the three major concentrations, Law Enforcement, Corrections, or Generalist.
Law enforcement concentration is for students who want to focus solely on the law enforcement field of the criminal justice system, students focusing on corrections concentration will specialize in areas like parole, probation, prevention, treatment, and control of both youth and adult offenders.
Generalist concentration is designed to offer a general education to police recruits. It also provides you with the option of enrolling in other courses in areas of forensic science, computer information system, military science, communication, etc.
The cost of attending Ferris is $12,740 per year for US residents and Canadians.
3. Michigan State Police Training Academy
Michigan State Police Training Academy is part of the Michigan State Police, located in Lansing. The Michigan State Police has been serving the state since 1917 with a mission to provide the best law enforcement and public safety services throughout Michigan.
Most importantly, the state police offer a 26 weeks training program to recruit people who are interested in becoming police troopers. The police troopers are required to complete a residential training program where they’ll receive 1,200 hours of hands-on training in firearms, first aid, defense tactics, criminal law, patrol techniques, and lots more.
After successful completion of the training, troopers are eligible to apply for specialty assignments including the bomb squad, forensic, detective, fugitive team, computer crime, narcotics team, etc.
Police recruits at Michigan State Police are expected to stay in school during their training period, they only leave on Friday evenings to return on Sunday afternoon.
Troopers don’t pay tuition fees, they receive a salary of approximately $50,000 per year and other benefits. Check out their hiring process if you’re interested in attending this police academy.
4. Oakland Police Academy
Oakland Police Academy is one of the leading police training centers in Michigan. It was founded in 1967, located in Oakland Community College’s Auburn Hills campus.
The police training is conducted in a very conducive environment, using the best instructional presentation technology, including video conferencing, and wireless internet connection.
The Oakland police academy offers both basic police training and advanced police training. The tuition fee at the police academy is very affordable.
Students who reside in Oakland pay a tuition rate of $99.00 per credit hour while out-of-state students pay $192.00 per credit hour, whether they stay in Michigan, a different state, or country.
5. Mott Community College
Mott community college is a public community college that was founded in 1923.
Basically, Mott aims to provide high-quality, accessible, and affordable educational opportunities and services. The community college offers different degrees and programs in fields such as sciences, arts, general studies, etc.
Mott college is one of the best colleges that offers police training programs. Mott’s public service programs include the Criminal justice A.A.S and Correction A.A.S. The law enforcement programs are accredited by the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards.
The corrections degree program is designed to equip students with the necessary skills they need for jobs in the corrections field, including federal and state prisons, county and city jails, probation and parole departments, etc.
The criminal justice course is designed to train students looking for jobs in various areas of criminal justice. The tuition fees for residents attending Mott is $309.40 per credit hour, while out-of-state students pay $428.39 per credit hour.
6. Macomb Community College
Macomb community college is a multi-campus college in Macomb County, Michigan founded in 1954. The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Basically, Macomb’s offers professional certificates, university transfers, early college, workforce development, continuing education, and enrichment.
Macomb provides high-quality education to close to 38,000 students annually. It has almost 200 degrees and certificate programs and offers over 250 private scholarships exclusively for Macomb students. It is also a public service institute for police, EMT, fire, and Homeland security training.
The college offers law enforcement with a police academy. There you’ll be taught all you need to know about police work, including criminal justice, loss prevention, terrorism, juvenile issues, computer crimes, and laboratory techniques.
Macomb’s basic police academy will introduce you to report writing, crime scene process, patrol procedures, detention and prosecution of prisoners, first aid, disaster control, and tactical operations. The college’s basic police training surpasses the state-mandated requirements for preparing students to take the exam for state certification.
Macomb offers private scholarships just for law enforcement students and the instructors are former or current police officers. The tuition fee for the police academy at Macomb is $300 per billable contact hour.
7. Lake Superior State University
Lake Superior state university also known as LSSU, Lake Superior State, Lake State, or Soo Tech is a public university in Sault St.Marie, Michigan. It is the smallest university in Michigan with approximately 2,000 students. It was established in 1946.
LSSU offers different academic programs like wildlife management, fishery, engineering, nursing, environmental science, chemistry, business management, geology, fire service, and criminal justice.
Students also take degrees in English, forensic science, recreation management, creative writing, and legal studies. The university offers associate degrees and primary bachelor’s. It also grants a master of arts in curriculum and many other certificates.
Lake Superior’s college of criminal justice and emergency responders has programs in fire service, criminal justice, and emergency medicine. The criminal justice program is taught by former and current police officers, corrections officers, and lawyers.
It combines both academic and hands-on training. The tuition fee at Lake Superior is $587. Program fees are charged in cases where specialized facilities, equipment, personnel, operational, and maintenance cost have primary use by a single group or group of programs. In this case, the program fee for criminal justice is $25 per credit hour.
8. Kellogg Community College
Kellogg was established in 1956 by the Battle Creek Board of Education. KCC has campuses in Battle Creek, Coldwater, Albion, Hastings, and the Fort Custer Industrial Park.
The college offers 37 associate degree programs, 60 professional transfer curricula, 25 certificate programs, 7 categories of professional certifications, and various short-term, non-credit courses.
The college serves approximately 9,000 students annually. It was recently accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The criminal justice associate degree program is offered at the college.
Kellogg’s police academy and law enforcement program runs for one academic session which is spread over two 15 weeks semesters. The college’s law enforcement program has a flexible schedule, especially for people who are already employed or have responsibilities that would prevent them from going to a full-time police school.
KCC also offers an educational environment that promotes adult learning, critical thinking, and service learning. Instructors at the school are experts who are either working or have retired from a police jobs.
Students also enjoy the use of advanced training technology like MILO shooting simulators, a skid car, and two driving simulators. This technology enables you to get hands-on training similar to what you’ll experience in a real job. The tuition fee for residents at KCC is $151.50, while out-of-state students pay $315 per credit hour.
9. Kalamazoo Valley Community College
Kalamazoo Valley Community College or KVCC was founded in 1966 by approval of voters in 9 local school districts. KVCC is a comprehensive, fully accredited, public, two-year college with about 10,000 students.
The college offers certificate programs in over 20 areas of study and 25 associate degrees. KVCC also educates students preparing to transfer to four-year institutions upon graduation.
The college has campuses in four locations which are Texas Township, Arcadia Commons, The Groves, and Bronson Healthy Living Campus. Programs offered at KVCC include business, health care, technical occupations, industry, human and public service.
The public service program at KVCC covers fields like fire service, American sign language, coaching, law enforcement, criminal justice, etc. The law enforcement and criminal justice program at KVCC are divided into two, which are the law enforcement and criminal justice AAS and law enforcement specialist for certification AAS.
The law enforcement specialist for certification AAS is designed to provide a general education along with the standard provided by MCOLES Basic Law Enforcement certification. Here students will learn criminal investigation, police organization, traffic control, delinquency, criminal law, and enforcement procedures.
The tuition fee at KVCC’s police academy is $8,300, there are other little expenses for uniforms and miscellaneous at the police academy which you can find here. The college’s police academy is conducted at The Groves campus. The application deadline for the next police training is the 15th of October.
10. Northern Michigan University
Northern Michigan University or NMU is a dynamic four-year, public, comprehensive university located in Marquette, Michigan. It was founded in 1899 as Northern State Normal School. It has about 7,600 graduate and undergraduate students and offers over 170-degree programs, including 25 graduate programs.
NMU also offers a regional police academy program that runs for 16 weeks. The 800 hours police training facility is designed to provide basic law enforcement training to in-service and pre-service recruits.
The program covers topics like physical fitness training, precision driving, firearms, defense tactics, police tactics, first aid and CPR, criminal justice, domestic violence, traffic enforcement, and other interesting topics related to law enforcement.
The tuition fee and cost for attending NMU police academy is $4,900, an application fee of $35 if needed, and uniforms and boots $500-575. These are the main cost for the police academy, other miscellaneous costs also apply.
Conclusion
The tuition fees and cost of attending a Michigan police academy differ between schools. The tuition fee applicable to a resident of Michigan differs from the fees paid by non-residents.
Students who graduate and meet the requirements of MCOLES are eligible to take the certification exams set by MCOLES. Most of the colleges are accredited by Higher Learning Commission.
FAQs
A police academy is a school that’s trains people or students interested in pursuing law enforcement as a career.
The job outlook for police officers in Michigan is close to 6% after completing a police academy.
Yes! you need a license to practice as a police officer in Michigan and it must be approved by the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards.
Maintaining public order and safety.
Preventing, detecting, and investigating criminal activities.
Enforcing the law.
Protection of lives and properties
Empathy and compassion
Communication skills
Interpersonal skills
Negotiation skills
Integrity and transparency
Willingness to learn
Problem-solving skills
Conclusion
According to a survey carried out by the National Police Foundation, 86% of police departments reported a staffing shortage.
The Bureau of Labor, the overall employment of police officers is expected to grow by 7% from 2020 to 2030. About 67,100 job openings for police officers are projected each year, and this is because of the need to replace workers who either transfer to other jobs or retire.
Michigan police academies offer many interesting programs for police recruits like associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees, certificate programs, and many more.
These are in line with the standards set by the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards to help aspiring police officers and recruits get the best education and knowledge they need to pursue a successful career in law enforcement.
References
