How to become a police officer in michigan

All candidates are strongly encouraged to contact a local state police recruiter. Recruiters are a source of current hiring information, and can be of great assistance as a candidate progresses through the selection process.

Recruiters schedule periodic orientation sessions to provide candidates with an overview of the minimum qualifications and essential job functions of a trooper. In addition, recruiters provide information regarding the Entry Level Law Enforcement Selection Process, Training Academy, and the Field Training Officer Program.

2. Civil Service Entry Level Law Enforcement Examination

An on-line practice test can be ordered at your own cost from Ergometric, Inc., at www.frontlinetest.com
The FrontLine Practice Test will help you become familiar with the FrontLine Video Testing System for the Law Enforcement test format.

The entry-level law enforcement examination is scheduled and administered by the Michigan Department of Civil Service. It is offered on a regular basis. Applicants who pass the examination with an appropriate score will continue to the next step in the selection process. Applications and test dates may be obtained by contacting the Michigan Department of Civil Service at (517) 373-3030.

3. Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards (MCOLES) Physical Fitness Test and Candidate Orientation

All trooper candidates must pass the MCOLES Physical Strength & Agility Test. Invitations to participate in this testing are based on a candidate’s Civil Service Entry Level Law Enforcement Examination results.

The Michigan State Police will only accept MCOLES agility test results administered by the Michigan State Police. All candidates must pass this test within 120 days prior to appointment to an academy. Information regarding test sites and dates may be obtained by contacting the Michigan State Police, Recruiting and Selection Unit, at (517) 336-6686.

4. Pre-Screening Interview

A Pre-Screening Interview will be conducted with all applicants who successfully pass the MCOLES agility test. This is not a hiring interview. The purpose of this interview is to determine if an applicant meets the minimum standards necessary to continue in the selection process.

It is another tool in the development of the candidate suitability profile. A wide range of subjects is covered. Data gathered from the Pre-Screening Interview and the Personal History Questionnaire will also be thoroughly reviewed with each candidate by a background investigator.

The following documents must be submitted to the Recruiting and Selection Unit at least two weeks prior to this interview:

Current resume with cover letter
Copy of Experience and Education Questionnaire (PD-34), Completed and Typed
A copy of a valid driver’s license (must have a valid Michigan driver’s license prior to appointment to an academy)
Copy of Birth Certificate
Copy of Social Security Card
Official Transcripts, College, High School Diploma or G.E.D. Certificate
Any/all Marriage Licenses, Divorce/Annulment Decrees
Military Certificate of Release from Active Duty (if applicable)
Any/All Civil Judgments

Candidates will be rated on a three-point scale. Candidates with a profile rating of 3 in each dimension may continue on in the selection process. Candidates with a rating of 2 in any dimension must wait two years to reapply. Candidates with a rating of 1 in any dimension will be permanently disqualified. All candidates will be notified of their status by the Recruiting and Selection Unit within 10 business days following the pre-screening interview.

5. Background Interview & Investigation

Candidates can expect a comprehensive background investigation to determine suitability for employment. Candidates’ past experiences, events, and actions will be thoroughly explored. After the Pre-Screening Interview, the Recruiting and Selection Unit will forward the results of the interview along with pertinent documents to the appropriate post/district. Candidates will be assigned to a Trooper or Detective Sergeant for investigation.

The investigator will contact you as soon as practical to begin the investigation. The investigator will receive the following documents: Pre-Screening Interview Profile, Education and Experience Questionnaire, Personal History Questionnaire, Credit History Report, Computerized Criminal History, Driving Record, copies of birth certificate, any/all marriage licenses, divorce/annulment decrees, DD-214, social security card, driver’s license, and other relevant information necessary to conduct a thorough investigation.

The background investigation is the most important step in determining a candidate’s suitability for employment. The department allocates a great deal of time and resources to conducting a thorough investigation. Significant emphasis is placed on this investigation and candidates may find past events and actions creating serious difficulties for them as they enter the final pre-employment steps.

6. Background Investigation Review

Once completed, the background will be returned to the Recruiting and Selection Unit. A staff sergeant will review the contents and make a recommendation for further processing or removal from the pre-employment process. Candidates may be scheduled for a hiring interview based upon the personnel needs of the department.

7. Hiring Interview: Targeted Selection*

The Hiring Interview will be based on a Civil Service validated job assessment for enlisted entry-level law enforcement officers (Trooper 10). This interview is designed to assess specific competencies necessary to perform the duties of a Michigan State Trooper. Each applicant will be asked a series of questions in one or more of the following categories:

Building Trust

Stress Tolerance

Adaptability

Continuous Learning

Decision Making

Customer Focus

Work Standards

Communication

Initiating Action

Job Fit

In the Hiring Interview candidates will be asked to describe their experience(s) in the above areas. Candidates will be required to describe to the interview panel (board) a situation or task, the action taken, and the results of that action.

Your success depends on your ability to articulate what you have done to demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform as a law enforcement officer, although the experience may have occurred in some other area.

Candidates will be evaluated on a three point scale: 3 = Acceptable, 3D = Deferred, 2 = Less than Acceptable (Must Wait for Two Years to Reapply), 1 = Much Less than Acceptable (Disqualified). Candidates with a profile rating of 3 in each dimension may continue on in the selection process.

Candidates who receive a 3D (Deferred) in any dimension may be recalled for a second hiring interview if the list of candidates is exhausted. Candidates with a rating of 2 in any dimension must wait two years to reapply.

Candidates with a rating of 1 in any dimension will be permanently disqualified. All candidates will be notified of their status by the Recruiting and Selection Unit within 10 business days following the hiring interview.

In addition, questions may arise from the background investigation itself, Personal History Questionnaire, Driving Record, Credit History, References, Criminal History, Resume, or other relevant information.

*An excellent reference on the Targeted Selection approach to interviewing is entitled: “Landing the Job You Want: How to Have the Best Interview of Your Life”, William C. Byham, Ph.D. with Debra Pickett, DDI Press, Pittsburgh, PA. This book is highly recommended.

8. Conditional Offer of Employment

Pursuant to applicable state and Federal law, candidates who achieve a rating high enough to merit appointment to the Academy are given a Conditional Offer of Employment. This offer states that, if the candidate passes the remaining pre-employment steps, the candidate will be appointed to the Academy.

Candidates must continue to meet the minimum requirements. Negative information that comes to the attention of the department after a conditional offer of employment is made is open to review, and may subject the candidate to revocation of the offer.

Psychological Screening and Medical Examination

All candidates shall undergo a psychological screening administered at the direction of the department’s Behavioral Sciences Section prior to appointment to an Academy. All candidates must pass this examination within 180 days prior to appointment.

All candidates shall undergo a complete medical and physical examination by a department physician prior to appointment. Failure to receive medical approval to fully participate in the Academy will result in disqualification. It shall not be administered earlier than 120 days prior to appointment.

Drug Screening

All candidates shall be drug screened at least once prior to appointment to the Academy. This screening may take place at any time after the written test result notification is received. No warning will be given to the candidate prior to the scheduling of this screening. Failure to attend or pass this screening shall result in immediate disqualification.

9. Appointment

Candidates who successfully complete all pre-employment steps are appointed to the next scheduled Trooper Recruit School. An appointment letter will be mailed to each candidate describing details of the Academy Orientation and specific equipment necessary to begin the Academy.

10. Academy Training

Most recruit schools are 18 weeks. Recruits are required to live at the academy during the week and are released on Friday evenings. They are required to return on Sunday evenings. This is a great sacrifice that takes commitment and a strong desire to succeed.

11. Field Training Officer Program (FTO)

After graduation, recruits are assigned as probationary troopers to any post in the state. Assignments are based on recruit performance and ability, and department personnel needs. Each probationary trooper is assigned a Field Training Officer (FTO). The FTO Program is 17 weeks. At the completion of the Field Training Program, probationers are certified to work alone.

12. Candidate Document Checklist

Candidates must furnish the Department of State Police with documents 9 through 17 at least two weeks prior to the Pre-Screening Interview. The Recruiting and Selection Unit staff will gather documents 1 through 8.

Document
1. Civil Service Written Examination Score
2. Michigan MCOLES approved Agility Test Results
3. Personal History Questionnaire Results
4. Title 18 Qualification Inquiry
5. Computerized Criminal History Check
6. Fingerprints
7. Computerized Driving Record
8. Credit History
9. Current resume with cover letter
10. Experience & Education Questionnaire (Typed)
11. A Valid Driver’s License (must have a valid Michigan driver’s license prior to appointment to an academy)
12. Birth Certificate
13. Social Security # Verification
14. All High School & College Transcripts
15. All Diplomas, Degrees, Certificates
16. Any/all Marriage Licenses, Divorce/Annulment Decrees
17. Military Certificate of Release from Active Duty (if applicable)