The Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES) has statutory responsibilities assigned under two Michigan laws. Public Act 203 of 1965, requires that the Commission prepare and publish mandatory minimum recruitment, selection and training standards for entry-level law enforcement officers in the state of Michigan. Act 203 also requires the Commission to define categories and clas
Approved Commission Resolutions
List of Physical Fitness test dates
MCOLES Recognition of Prior Training & Experience Program (RPTEP)
Eligibility for Licensing as a Law Enforcement Officer and Applicant Documentation
Licensing Standards & Policy and Procedures Manual
MCOLES In-Service Training Standards & Resources
MCOLES Active Duty Firearms Standard
Audio Visual Recording of Custodial Interrogations - Public Act 479 of 2012
Law Enforcement Officer Manual & Model Policy for Domestic Violence and Response to Sexual Assault
Employment & Training History Requests
Law Enforcement Officer Safety Act (LEOSA)
Public Act 330
Michigan's Speed Measurement Standards
Commissioning and Licensing Railroad Police Officers
Public Act 195 of 1966
Information on how to Register In-Service Training Courses in MITN
Job Postings
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The following information outlines the process by which a candidate may become licensed as a law enforcement officer in the state of Michigan.
Licensing as a law enforcement officer in Michigan must be approved through the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES). This happens when the following two requirements are met by the candidate:
Previously licensed police officers in Michigan, or from another state, who are seeking re-licensure are directed to the MCOLES Recognition of Prior Training and Experience (RPTE) Program.
The MCOLES minimum selection requirements are outlined in a document entitled Employment Standards for Michigan Law Enforcement Officers. As you formulate your plans to become a licensed police officer, please note that candidates are required to take two pre-enrollment tests, unless you have been previously licensed here or in another state. The tests consist of a reading and writing examination and a physical fitness performance examination. The tests are administered periodically at selected sites throughout the state. Typically, the starting point for most is to take the reading and writing examination because it never expires. The physical fitness exam is valid for 180 days prior to entering an academy. To schedule a test, contact the testing site directly. Previously licensed officers are not required to take these tests.
Basic recruit training, which is the major component of the pre-employment standards, must be completed at an approved training academy. Regional training academies are located throughout the state. All training academies are required to teach, as a minimum, the state's basic training curriculum, which is 615 hours in length. At the completion of the academy, all graduates are required to pass a licensing examination administered by the state.
There are three ways to enter a basic training academy:
Option 1: Become employed by a law enforcement agency and attend basic training as an employed candidate
Approximately 50% of the candidates make application directly to a law enforcement agency. Upon being hired, the agency will assume the cost of training as well as the candidate's wage while in attendance at the academy. It should be pointed out that all pre-enrollment standards must be met by the employed candidate prior to the start of the academy session.
Option 2: Enter directly into a regional academy prior to being hired
Due to budgetary considerations, many law enforcement agencies will consider only those applicants that have already completed the academy training. In Michigan, a candidate may attend a police academy without being employed by an agency if he or she is willing to pay for the training. It is important to note that these "pre-service" candidates are required to obtain employment with a law enforcement agency as a law enforcement officer within one (1) year of graduation in order to be licensed, although one additional year of eligibility may be obtained by satisfactorily completing the RPTE Program. If you wish to pay for your academy training, please contact the academy directly for application information.
Pre-service candidates will attend an academy that lasts between fourteen (14) and sixteen (16) weeks. However, in order to be accepted, such candidates must possess an Associate's Degree or higher degree. If you do not possess a degree, consider Option 3.
Option 3: Enter a 2-year or 4-year "track" program at an approved school
The pre-service "track" option, is specifically designed for those candidates who do not possess a college degree, but wish to pay for their own academy training. In these track programs, academic classes are offered during the first year and the MCOLES 615-hour curriculum is offered the second year. Some locations even offer a 4-year degree program. In other words, the track option combines the mandatory academy training with a traditional degree program in criminal justice.
Once all of the pre-enrollment standards have been met, including basic training, a candidate's license may be activated through MCOLES by being sworn in as a law enforcement officer with a law enforcement agency.
This information is intended to provide you with some insight into the process of becoming a law enforcement officer in the state of Michigan. For further specific information regarding any of the options above, please contact the training academy of your choice directly; general questions, contact MCOLES at 517-636-7864.
