Grand Rapids Police Department Now Taking Sponsored Police Recruits Applications

Press release from the City of Grand Rapids:

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The City of Grand Rapids is looking for service-driven and honor-bound individuals interested in joining its team of law enforcement professionals. It is currently seeking applicants to fill the position of Police Recruit. This position does not require any prior law enforcement training.

The application and full job description are now available HERE.

The application deadline for the Police Recruit position is 11:59 p.m. EST Monday, October 12.

“Our department is looking for quality candidates who want to join a team that expects the very best and provides a level of service that is continually seen as being among the finest in Michigan,” said Lieutenant Maureen O’Brien, commander of the Community Engagement Unit, which oversees recruiting and hiring. “We are dedicated to hiring community minded, self-motivated and goal-oriented individuals to join our law enforcement family. We strive to ensure equity, fairness and diversity in our hiring practices and we encourage anyone interested in public service to apply.”

Police Recruit candidates will be hired by the City of Grand Rapids and sponsored to attend the Grand Valley State University (GVSU) Police Academy, which begins May 3, 2021. Police Recruits who are sponsored to attend the GVSU Academy will be paid as a police recruit, with a starting annual pay of $48,062. Candidates will receive all the benefits provided by the City while attending the police academy. Upon successful completion of the police academy, recruits will return to the Grand Rapids Police Department for additional training and – if all requirements are satisfied – will be sworn in as police officers.

All applicants must pass the civil service exam and meet all MCOLES minimum licensing requirements:

• Must not be less than 18 years of age
• Possess US Citizenship
• Possess a high school diploma or GED
• Possess a valid Michigan Driver’s License
• No Felony crimes (see Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards - MCOLES - website for additional disqualifying criminal history information)
• Good Moral Character
• Pass a comprehensive background investigation
• Pass MCOLES Reading, Writing, and Physical Fitness examinations
• Pass MCOLES Psychological Evaluation
• Pass MCOLES Medical Evaluation and Drug Screening
• Pass the City of Grand Rapids Civil Service Exam
• Pass an oral board interview

Please visit the MCOLES website at www.mi.gov/mcoles for additional information about its minimum licensing standards.

If you have questions about this recruiting process, please call the GRPD Community Engagement Unit at (616) 456-3301, email GRPDrecruiting@grcity.us, or visit www.joinGRPD.com or the department’s YouTube channel.

This press release was produced by the City of Grand Rapids. The views expressed are the author's own.