jobs in Michigan

[CCDEP]

Does anyone know of any departments hiring in Michigan except Flint?

[billy8878]

I heard Troy PD was hiring....Dont you want to work for Flint PD, thier pay is great :rolleyes:

[USCGjoker]

I'd work anywhere in MI right now, especially since they would pay you throught the academy. I would apply to Flint PD, but my timing is off and I still have 12 more months in the Coast Guard.

[JHoek]

I'd work anywhere in MI right now, especially since they would pay you throught the academy. I would apply to Flint PD, but my timing is off and I still have 12 more months in the Coast Guard.
Only certian departments will pay you through the academy. The majority of us had to pay to attend.

[USCGjoker]

I remember reading that Flint would pay your way through, but you would making the equivilant of $15000. I was looking into putting myself through Oakland Community College's police academy, but I don't know if I want to risk going through and not having a job lined up when I graduate. Plus living in Alaska it makes the hiring process a little harder because it costs so much to fly back and forth. My plan now is to stay in the Coast Guard for another 4 years and work as a Reserve Police Officer on my off time.

I just reread my first post and realize it didn't make sense. I what I wanted to say was I would work for Flint especially if they would pay through the academy. I would also work anywhere I could find a job right now in Michigan.

[billy8878]

Yes, Flint is definantly hiring and they do pay for the academy.

[NYPD2Mich]

I am in the NYPD and I WANT to come back home to Michigan. I hope some better jobs open up in the summer. As far as transfering from an out of state dept into Michigan do you know of any officers who have done it? I want to know if I have to go through the MCOLES process or not? I saw they have some waiver program but I wonder if they'll take the NYPD.

[COBRA90GT]

...I want to know if I have to go through the MCOLES process are not I saw they have some waiver program but I wonder if they'll take the NYPD...


Unfortunately, you'll have to go through the MCOLES "Recognition of Prior Training & Experience" certification process. This process includes taking the state exam (multiple choice test, common sense questions if you have actual street experience) and taking the firearms test (a simple course of fire, includes pistol and shotgun).

Further, every question you have will be answered on one of the PDF documents on this page, or you can always call up Lansing/MCOLES and ask their representatives for help with questions:

http://www.michigan.gov/msp/0,1607,7-123-1593_26646-79597--,00.html


G'luck!

[USCGjoker]

Billy8878,

Did you go through Flints academy or were you already MCOLES certifiable? If you did, how long did the hiring process take for you?

Joe

[micop63702]

If you want to make money, you need to go to the suburbs. If you want to go to the suburbs, you have to take the empco test.

http://www.empco.net/police/

Thats what I would recommend.

Good luck

[Serpico]

Does anybody know of any departments around the Port Huron area that have a reserve officer program? I just moved out here to finish my undergrad and to get into a good law school, I need to do some volunteer work. I figure, the best way to help out the community and get that volunteer credit would be to a reserve/auxillary.

I've already looked into St. Clair's program, if anyone knows of any other depts in the area, I'd greatly appreciate it.

Also, anyone know how long MCOLES written scores are good for? Took mine last May. I wasn't sure if it was just the PT that was good for 6 months or both.

[Tbwingnut]

Not really sure about the Port Huron area as I don't get out there much. However, the MCOLES written test scores are non-expiring.

[JHoek]

Not really sure about the Port Huron area as I don't get out there much. However, the MCOLES written test scores are non-expiring.
You may want to look in to that...I thought the written test was good for 2 years and the agility test for 1 year....but I could be wrong.

[CNRRCOP]

Does anybody know of any departments around the Port Huron area that have a reserve officer program? I just moved out here to finish my undergrad and to get into a good law school, I need to do some volunteer work. I figure, the best way to help out the community and get that volunteer credit would be to a reserve/auxillary.

I've already looked into St. Clair's program, if anyone knows of any other depts in the area, I'd greatly appreciate it.

Also, anyone know how long MCOLES written scores are good for? Took mine last May. I wasn't sure if it was just the PT that was good for 6 months or both.


http://www.porthuron.org/residents/jobs.asp#cadet

City of Port Huron has a good cadet program. Other departments you might want to call and ask would be Marysville and Richmond PD. If you don't mind the drive Lapeer County has an excellent reserve program, I'm not sure if they require county residency, some departments do.

[CNRRCOP]

You may want to look in to that...I thought the written test was good for 2 years and the agility test for 1 year....but I could be wrong.


The new MCOLES written test is non expiring, it used to be 2 years

[CNRRCOP]

Does anyone know of any departments hiring in Michigan except Flint?

Canadian Pacific Railroad
Canadian National Railroad (not yet but will be in a two months)
Port Huron was hiring, you might want to call them
Kentwood
Richmond PD
Eastpointe
Merdian Township
Oakland County Sheriff's Dept.


All those dept's require you to be MCOLES certified or certifiable except for Oakland County who will put you in the jail anyway.

[wenzlo]

Dearborn Police is hiring.

[Serpico]

http://www.porthuron.org/residents/jobs.asp#cadet

City of Port Huron has a good cadet program. Other departments you might want to call and ask would be Marysville and Richmond PD. If you don't mind the drive Lapeer County has an excellent reserve program, I'm not sure if they require county residency, some departments do.


Thanks a lot!

[JHoek]

The new MCOLES written test is non expiring, it used to be 2 years
I did not know that...thanks, I will stop giving out old information :D

[CNRRCOP]

Well who can keep up with MCOLES anymore. LOL

I just wish MCOLES would change their policy for new academy graduates. It's unfair they have a year to get hired in today's economic state, especially here in Michigan. But yet all the academies are pushing for more recruits each year promising jobs, half of my graduating class still doesn't have jobs. The class before us, over 50% didn't get hired.

I spent over $5,000 of my own money I saved up for the academy, I was lucky enough to get hired, but I feel bad for all my fellow academy buds.

But anyway that's a whole other topic, I think folks need to get together and send in massive complaints to MCOLES about their policies.

[Serpico]

I'm still relatively new to Michigan. Can someone explain why law enforcement gigs are so few and far between in this state?

[COBRA90GT]

^ In a nutshell, you have a bad economy (particularly bad in MI; ie - automotive industry).

Combine that with the state's budget being in "the red." That translates into less money available for public funding. So, it is trickling down from the ranks of the upper levels of government down to the local municipalities.

Many companies (as well as government agencies) are eliminating "wants" and sticking to the basic "needs." Departments are more likely to layoff personnel instead of hiring them right now (but a few agencies have been able to hire people, don't get me wrong).

We live in a different world today, no doubt.

[JHoek]

I just wish MCOLES would change their policy for new academy graduates. It's unfair they have a year to get hired

I hear ya....My certification was going to expire on a Friday...I was sworn in on a Thursday. I remember standing next to the fax machine with the chief waiting for the confirmation fax from MCOLES saying that I was all set.

[ftlaudcop]

now ya see why i left illinois in 1982 and never looked back......
in fla since 82 and a cop since 83....!













www.schackdaddy.com

[Serpico]

So let me get this straight. In MI, it's extremely rare to get on with a Dept. unless you've already paid your way through an Academy? Very few Depts. will put you through the academy, right?

After graduating from the academy, you only have a year to get hired onto a Dept. before your certification becomes void? Can you retake the exam to get recertified or do you need to go through another academy?

Thanks

[COBRA90GT]

Serpico - Yes, it's becoming more rare for a department to "sponsor" you through an academy in MI (or Metro Detroit for that matter). Detroit PD runs their own academy. I believe Grand Rapids and Flint also have their own (off the top of my head).

An exception to the above rule would be a sheriff's department (ie - work the jail first, test among your peers, promote from within, they'll pay for your academy, eventually landing you in road patrol). Even "cadet" positions with police departments are becoming a rarity (typically a cadet program consists of clerical work and other "minor league" type tasks, no offense to any cadets who might be reading this).


Yes, after you graduate from the academy (contact MCOLES to hear it straight from the horse's mouth) you have one full year to "activate" your certificate. If you do not get hired within that timeframe, you may re-test through MCOLES and take the state exam/firearms course of fire to "re-new" your certificate for another year. Call/contact Lansing (MCOLES) or dig around on their website for more detailed info...g'luck!

BTW - Can't stress this enough, it's good you are asking questions - don't be afraid to contact the agencies directly to ask them your questions (ie - police academies, MCOLES, various departments, etc). You will find that you will need to search out the answers to your questions and show that you "want it." Lots of folks save up, take out a student loan, put themselves through an academy, and land a sworn position with an agency - it's just HIGHLY competitive in MI right now.

BTW #2- Do not forget about the other positions out there in law enforcement, such as dispatcher or cadet - they can be a good "foot in the door" job.

[Serpico]

Thanks for the info Cobra. I've still got a few years of undergrad and then the possibility of law school. It would be a nightmare trying to be a cop full time and get a 3.8 GPA for my undergrad. Hopefully, after I get done with school, the LEO job situation will be a little better out here. Chances are, I'll just end up being either a State's Attorney or a US Attorney. Back in Illinois, there were a lot of Depts that had part time officers, but I've yet to find any in SE Michigan. Anyone know if there are any?

[CNRRCOP]

Keep Positive, I didn't mean to sound so negative in my previous post. There are still jobs out there, you really have to search hard for them, as Cobra stated your already ahead of the game by asking questions.

My personal advice and if I had to do it all over again. Oakland County Sheriff's Office http://www.co.oakland.mi.us/sheriff/jobs/Deputy%20I.html
I have a lot of friends who work for Oakland County, you basically put five years, it may be less and you get sponsored into the academy. While your in Corrections take as many advance training classes as possible to help prepare you. It's a great department. Macomb County is also another county similar to Oakland.


I personally would look into the Railroad Police, I got hired one month after I got out of the academy. Not a lot of recruits know about the RR police, they don't see it as glamorious as other agencies. I started out at $19.00 an hour with no experience which isn't bad at all considering some Departments starting pay. We have full police powers through out the state and our jurisdiction carries into other states that carry our rail. It's definately a lot more quiet then other departments but it's what you make of it. It's definately 60% security work considering your protecting property most of your shift, the rest of my shift is all police work- I'm out making traffic stops, assisting local PD so fourth. It's a unique job and it holds your certification and gives you a ton of experience if you want to transfer over to other departments. BTW CN Police are hiring in the near Future, it will be either Port Huron or Detroit.


On another note, I just heard Grand Blanc Township is hiring again. Sorry for the long post, I'm a fast typer and a bad speller :(

[ftlaudcop]

good to hear from a R.R. GUM SHOE......LOL....
MY...R.R. TIME WAS 79 TO 82 ACTIVE, ( FURLOUGHED TIL 85 )
I would have stayed their, but no provisions for early retirement when yr a r.r.
cop, they did lower the rr. retirement age for all jobs to age 60 i heard,
but thats way to long........


chicago and western indiana railroad ......( owned now by u.p. )
exists only on paper...

indiana harbor belt r.r. , 2 owner lines



www.schackdaddy.com

[Serpico]

CNR, thanks for the info. Don't worry about the long post, not a problem. See, my problem is that I couldn't work a full time gig and goto school full time. Going to school part time isn't an option, after I transfered out here I lost about 2 semesters worth of credits. Going full time to school means I still have about 5.5 years of undergrad/law school. Stretching that out would be a nightmare. ;)

The railroad dept sounds interesting. I don't know much about it, though. Do you drive a cruiser or do you ride the trains? I looked into DC's transit police and you need to go through an academy in each state you have powers in. It's not like that for your dept, right? Just the one academy and you're good to go? Are there any plainclothes details? I've done uniform security and plainclothes loss prevention, I enjoyed the plainclothes detail a whole lot more.

Thanks a lot, fellas.

[ftlaudcop]

railroad police, depending on location may have a small amount of
company property to protect...such as chicago area....18 to 20 miles...
or more if yr a larger r.r...., they almost never ride the rails unless it's a yard transfer and they need to know a hot spot where theft or vandalism
are happening, some area's have easier access than others.

one of the duties, is being in a huge trailer yard checking trucks in and out
and walking the yard to deter gangs of theives in case yr trailer yard
is in a more city like environemnt.

another duty: to watch the other railroad employee's and make sure
their are no safty or rule violations, such as dope smokin or alcohol
violations, both are handled in-house rather than on a " take them to jail"
level. one of the better police jobs, except for the retirement,
which shold be at least dropped to 55 due to the high risk nature of the beast.


www.schackdaddy.com

[USCGjoker]

If I put myself through the academy, and got hired by a Sheriff's Department, would I still spend time in Corrections? When I was looking through the job description for Oakland County it stated that at time a Deputy 1 would take minor calls and fill in for a Deputy 2, how many times does this usually happen?

Joe

[ftlaudcop]

their is always bound to be more openings in corrections in any sheriff's
office, if you get police certified, and your certificate may expire
before you get a job unless their is a way to re new it.
if you get corrections certified....you'll prob get the job rt away...if their is a separate school for that






www.schackdaddy.com

[Mtclem4]

Oakland CO you will be in the jail whether you have a PO cert or not. However they will activate your certification to where you will not have to get a part time PO job to keep your cert.

Macomb County you will work the jail and you still have to find a part time PO job to keep your cert activated. However you will get promoted faster because you have that cert and the county saves money by not training you.

[CNRRCOP]

I graduated from Oakland's Academy, so I know a lot of their deputies of course.

The answer to your question is, if you are already certified, you will still have to spend time in corrections, they will tell you it's only 6 months, but I know folks who have spent five years in there. Quite a few Detroit PD officers went to Oakland thinking they would see the road quick, they are still in corrections. I guess it's how well you perform.

Answer to your other question, I was told that rarely ever happens. A lot of guys in corrections will also work parks part time or Marine Divison.....they have sea doo's!!!! Marine division I heard is a lot of fun. That's also another opition to look at if your trying to get into a department is to volunteer for their reserve. Lapeer County has a great program that I know of and quite a few other departments are very active in reserve.

If I put myself through the academy, and got hired by a Sheriff's Department, would I still spend time in Corrections? When I was looking through the job description for Oakland County it stated that at time a Deputy 1 would take minor calls and fill in for a Deputy 2, how many times does this usually happen?

Joe

[CNRRCOP]

[quote]Do you drive a cruiser or do you ride the trains? I looked into DC's transit police and you need to go through an academy in each state you have powers in. It's not like that for your dept, right? Just the one academy and you're good to go? Are there any plainclothes details? I've done uniform security and plainclothes loss prevention, I enjoyed the plainclothes detail a whole lot more.[\quote]

I worked in Loss Prevention for 8 years prior to going into the Railroad Police, I think that is one main reason why I was hired as a rookie over experienced officers. The Loss Prevention experience I feel goes a long way once your on the job, especially with talking to people and having to de-esculate situations. With the Railroad your doing a lot of security orientated work at times.

Our cruisers come in a varieity. We unmarked cars you can take out, fully marked cars, slick tops. It just depends on what you want to do for the day I guess. I tend to do a lot of traffic so I use the fully marked patrol car. Most railroads have SUV's.

To answer your question on the academy training. If you were to move to another state and seek employment with that state, you still have to re certify with that state just as any police officer were to do.

But if I was working, on duty and we had something go down let's say in Ohio, I can drive down there and carry my powers into Ohio. I've been down there a few times, mostly for derailments, nothing exciting. But a few of the guys go to Chicago once in awhile for surveillances on cargo theft gangs.

As far as the plain clothes go, I worked in Detroit for four months in a pair of blue jeans and a T shirt for the summer time, it saved me a lot of money on dry cleaning LOL LOL. It was also more comfortable.

To sum it up, you make up your day. If you want to chill out and relax, you can check trains for possible illegal aliens, drug smugglers or you can head out and do police work. I try to stay close to my tracks as possible.

[CNRRCOP]

good to hear from a R.R. GUM SHOE......LOL....
MY...R.R. TIME WAS 79 TO 82 ACTIVE, ( FURLOUGHED TIL 85 )
I would have stayed their, but no provisions for early retirement when yr a r.r.
cop, they did lower the rr. retirement age for all jobs to age 60 i heard,
but thats way to long........


chicago and western indiana railroad ......( owned now by u.p. )
exists only on paper...

indiana harbor belt r.r. , 2 owner lines



www.schackdaddy.com



LOL, I'm still getting used to being called a gumshoe. I still haven't got a straight answer on why they use that term. I know it refers to being a detective, but is their any other meaning behind it for the railroad??

The retirement is definately scary, I'm not sure if I really want to stick around here for 60 years. Not when other departments are offering earlier retirement.

[Serpico]

CNR,
Thanks for all of the info. It sounds like it's a pretty solid job. Does the Dept have part time positions or is it all full time? How big is the Dept?

You get the option of what kind of car you want to take out for the day? Correct me if I'm wrong, but that's not the case for a lot of Depts, is it?

What's the hiring process like? You said you were on the job a month after you got out of the academy. That's extremely fast. When I looked into Chicago PD, the recruiter told me anywhere from 24-28 months. :(

[CCDEP]

CNR,
I would like to know a number or website to look at for job posting with the RR.
Thanks

[CNRRCOP]

It's definately a solid job because unlike most industries the Railroad will ALWAYS be around....well maybe I shouldn't say that. My dad worked for Ford and he used to tell me the same crock.

We only hire full time, I'm not sure about CSX, NS and CP railroads, but I'm pretty positive it's full time as well. As far as size of my department, We have 15 members spreaded out throughout the state, most of them are located in Detroit where we get hit a lot in Cargo Theft. At one time CN Police Formerly known as Grand Truck Railroad Police were over 80 members Strong.

We have 2 K9 units, one in Port Huron and one in Detroit. We don't have Sgt's or Lt's anymore, they did away with that and re-titled all of us as Special Agents within the Department.

The question on vehicles, in Detroit, we have unmarked cars and fully marked cars, so yes you can choose which car you want to take for the day. I'm quite sure larger departments have a wider and BETTER choice, for example I know some Sheriff Deputies can take their choice of an SUV or a Sedan. It all depends on preference, where your going and what you need to do.

As far as the hiring process, it was 2 months total once my interview started, which by today's standards is extremely fast. I know I was lucky to get hired that fast out of the academy, that's why I bust my *** everyday at work. Anytime I want to bitch about something, I just remind myself of my friends I graduated the academy with, most of them still don't have jobs yet.

The actual hiring process itself:
Application Proccess-I applied in April
Oral Boards-Took place in Late June, there was 2 of them.
Offer of Employment-Early July
Psych Test-a complete waste of time, pointless like always
Physical Test-MCOLES and also Railroad

Started FTO in July, that took place a little over 3 months, I actually rode with our K9 unit in Detroit for half of my FTO which was pretty cool and gained a lot of experience working with the dog.

I think mostly in part that Homeland Security was really putting pressure on my Department to get someone in Port Huron ASAP.

If your looking in Illionis....sorry can't spell this early in the morning
Check out http://www.theblueline.com They have great job postings in that state through that website.

Hey also Florida is hiring like crazy as well if you like sunshine. Don't bother wasting your money in a Michigan academy though if you plan on going out of state. My buddy graduated with me, he got hired in Ft. Lauderdale and now has to go through another academy.

If I wasn't married and could relocate, I would go out of state in a heart beat, especially Florida, just think of the LE experience you'll get, Florida Women!!!! and they pay better along with better incentives. Then after a couple years experience, move back to Michigan if the job market improves.


CNR,
Thanks for all of the info. It sounds like it's a pretty solid job. Does the Dept have part time positions or is it all full time? How big is the Dept?

You get the option of what kind of car you want to take out for the day? Correct me if I'm wrong, but that's not the case for a lot of Depts, is it?

What's the hiring process like? You said you were on the job a month after you got out of the academy. That's extremely fast. When I looked into Chicago PD, the recruiter told me anywhere from 24-28 months. :(

[CNRRCOP]

CNR,
I would like to know a number or website to look at for job posting with the RR.
Thanks

For my Railroad company, I thought we were going to hire here in a few months, now I heard that is getting pushed back once again. But our website is at http://www.cn.ca/about/careers/en_index.shtml

Just do a search for the entire country for all jobs, it's very small so it won't be an issue. It will be posted as Special Agent-Police Officer.

Just to forewarn you, there isn't much advancement oportunities in the Railroad police like in most departments. Our retirement is a pain in the butt as well. You have to be 60 years old and have 30 years in. So if I was 55 and had 30 in, I still have to finish out five more years.

We have a patrol officer who is over 60 finishing out his career, that's one reason why folks dont' hear much about the railroad police, a lot of these guys are just riding out their retirement and don't get involved much. I don't blame them one bit.

As far as the other Railroad Companies go, you need to check their websites, I heard CP -Canadian Pacific was hiring again. But just google their sites, sometimes they are posted on sites just as theblueline.com and a few others out there.

[MIDeputy]

Go to the following web page: http://www.michiganpolicechiefs.org it is the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police. It lists alot of jobs not advertised anywhere else. So far the current openings are in Battle Creek, Kalamazoo for Public Safety Officer, Northville Twp., Oakland Community College, Wayne Co. Airport Authority, Memphis MI, and Mackinac Island.

Good Luck in your endeavors. I remember how much of a pain it was when I was trying to land a job too.