Employed Police Recruit for Fall 2026 Academy

Company: City Of Portage
Location: Portage
Posted on: April 2, 2026

Job Description:

Are you ready to put your passion to work and become a Police Officer with the Portage Department of Public Safety? The City of Portage would like to invest in the future of deserving candidates and the Portage Police Department by hiring cadets for the police academy and providing career opportunities. The individuals sought have taken the initiative to gain higher education, have proven communication skills, demonstrated integrity, and hold a passion for service and caring for the community. Upon graduation from the academy, new officers will enter a 15-week Field Training Officer program to complete the training process. Officers at the City of Portage work 7 AM - 7 PM or 7 PM to 7 AM, with a fixed rotation schedule offering a 3-day weekend every other week. Portage Officers must meet the residential requirement of living within 30 miles of the Portage City limits by the end of probation. We are accepting applications now for the August 2026 Police Academy. The application window will close on May 15, 2026. We will text to verify your interest when the hiring process begins. We will require a confirmation. The starting salary for the Employed Police Recruit is $44,241.60 annually, paid on an hourly basis, with benefits. Within five years, the annual salary for an Officer will increase to $95,565.42. The cost of tuition, books, and required test fees will be provided upon signing the sponsorship cost agreement. Upon completing the police academy and receiving the MCOLES certification, the position will be converted to Police Officer. The starting salary for the Police Officer position is $64,691.70 annually, paid on an hourly basis. To be considered for this opportunity, the following requirements must be met: 1. Must be 21 years old upon graduation from the police academy. 2. Must be a U.S. Citizen 3. Must possess/obtain a valid Michigan driver's license with a good record. 4. Must possess an associate degree or obtain an associate degree as a result of graduating from the police academy. 5. Must have no felony convictions, including expunged convictions. Along with completing a t horough application, please attach a cover letter that includes the following: The reason you want to become a police officer. Your interest in being a Portage police officer and serving this community. Why you should be selected. If an associate degree or higher has not already been awarded, address the qualification that all the other coursework required, besides the academy, will be completed by the end of the current semester and that the Police Academy will be the only requirement to be fulfilled to be awarded your associate degree. Additional Information Police Recruitment Procedure Applicants will be reviewed. Those without an associate degree will be required to take a written exam. Candidates selected to move forward will be invited to participate in Oral Board Interviews in late May. Upon completion of Oral Boards Interviews, recommendations will be made for applicants to complete a background investigation. The background investigation requires the candidate to complete a written personal history statement and provide the support documents requested. Approximately one week will be given for completion and return. The Human Resources Department should be sent the transcripts directly from the educational institution. During the background phase, each candidate will be scheduled for an interview with a detective and a ride-along with a Field Training Officer. Once all background investigations are complete, the candidate's information will be viewed as a whole. Final interviews will be offered to those who best meet our needs for the open positions. Contingent offers will be made to selected candidates. Prospective employees must complete a medical physical, drug/alcohol screening, and psychological evaluation. Once all the results are back, the start date will be confirmed for the first day of the academy. Application Special Instructions All questions during the application/hiring process should be directed to Human Resources at (269)329-4533 or text (269)998-1385. Equal Employment Opportunity It is the policy of the city to afford equal employment opportunity regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, marital status, height, weight, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity; Positive action shall be taken to ensure the fulfillment of this policy.

Keywords: City Of Portage, East Lansing , Employed Police Recruit for Fall 2026 Academy, Science, Research & Development , Portage, Michigan