Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates; State POST commissions and legislatures, State peace officer standards: statutes, administrative rules and POST commission pages. Data captured September 30, 2026.
How to become a police officer in Michigan
- Certifying body
- Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES)
- Certification
- MCOLES law enforcement officer license
- Minimum age
- At least 18, or the employing agency's higher minimum (Mich. Admin. Code R 28.14203(b)). No maximum.
- Education
- High school diploma or GED for employed recruits. Pre-service recruits need at least an associate's degree by academy completion (MCOLES licensing standards; R 28.14203(c)).
- Citizenship
- U.S. citizen (R 28.14203(a); MCOLES licensing standards).
- Driver's license
- Valid operator's or chauffeur's license from any state, DC, a U.S. territory or Canada. Michigan driving privileges may not be suspended or revoked (R 28.14203(f)).
- Disqualifiers
- Any adjudication of guilt (including expunged or set-aside convictions, HYTA and diversion dismissals) for an offense punishable by more than 1 year, which covers all felonies. Also listed misdemeanors: OWI 2nd, controlled-substance possession or use (not marijuana), domestic violence 2nd, aggravated assault, aggravated domestic violence, stalking (MCL 28.609; MCOLES standards). A positive or refused drug test bars applicants for 2 years. Character-fitness background check, plus vision, hearing, medical and psychological standards (R 28.14203-.14204).
- Basic academy
- MCOLES mandatory basic training curriculum, at least 615 hours (2026 Basic Training Manual; MCOLES 2025 annual report). Taught at regional, agency or pre-service college academies.
- State exam
- MCOLES licensing examination: pass within 1 year of completing training, 1 retest allowed, otherwise repeat the academy (R 28.14203(j), R 28.14320). Also the MCOLES reading and writing exam for academy entry (R 28.14203(g)).
- Fitness standard
- MCOLES pre-enrollment physical fitness exam, passed within 180 days before the academy starts (R 28.14312(7)). Not required for RPTE applicants.
- Time to certify
- Recruits not employed and licensed within 1 year of academy completion must go through RPTE. The executive director may extend this by up to 90 days (R 28.14321).
- Officers from other states
- Recognition of Prior Basic Training and Experience (RPTE) program for out-of-state, federal and former Michigan officers: a curriculum component plus written licensing and skill performance exams (R 28.14401-.14414; MCL 28.609(2)(a)(ii)).
- Continuing training
- 24 hours of Continuing Professional Education (CPE) per calendar year: 8 Commission-designated and 16 agency-selected hours. This is a 3-year pilot from June 2024, with 2026 the final pilot year, implemented under MCL 28.611 with PA 1 of 2023 funding.
The administrative rules carry 2006/2008 history notes, and MCOLES's current combined manual repeats them. A license lapses after 2 years without law enforcement employment (MCL 28.609(11)). MCL 28.609(2)(j) lets the Commission decide whether citizenship is required; the current standard requires it. Michigan State Police troopers are MCOLES-licensed through the MSP academy.
Source: State POST commissions and legislatures, State peace officer standards: statutes, administrative rules and POST commission pages. Data captured October 2, 2026.
Pay in Michigan, all employers Sourced
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers (SOC 33-3051) in Michigan, all employers combined: BLS state estimates do not separate government from private.
| Measure | MI |
|---|---|
| Workers | 16,750 |
| 10th percentile | $47,780 |
| Median | $73,730 |
| 90th percentile | $89,220 |
| National median, government employers | $76,300 |
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Pension in Michigan
Local employees: Local police and firefighters
| Plan | Accrual | Normal retirement | Employee pays | Social Security |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Municipal Employees' Retirement System of Michigan (MERS) - employer-selected plans Employer-adopted MERS Defined Benefit, Hybrid or Defined Contribution plan | — | age 60 (standard; employer may choose 60-70) once vested | Set by the employer | Varies |
The statewide plan a new hire usually joins. Some cities and counties run their own plans; check with the employer. Each plan's formula, vesting, cost-of-living adjustment and retiree health are on the Michigan pension plans list.
Source: State retirement systems, Official state retirement system pages, member handbooks and statutes. Data captured October 2, 2026.
Employers in Michigan
439 police departments in Michigan.
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Crime Data Explorer — law-enforcement agencies by state (API). Data captured September 30, 2026.
Free practice tests for Michigan
MCOLES Reading and Writing Test (Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards)Michigan exam · free on Open Exam Prep- Michigan POST Peace Officer Certification ExamMichigan exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- IPMA-HR / PSHRA Entry-Level Police Officer Test (PO-EL)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- Law Enforcement Aptitude Battery (LEAB)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- National Criminal Justice Officer Selection Inventory (NCJOSI-3)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- National Police Officer Selection Test (POST)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- NTN FrontLine National - Law Enforcement ExamPractice for a named exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- Police Aptitude and Character Test (PACT)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
Source: Open Exam Prep, Open Exam Prep free practice tests. Data captured October 1, 2026. Each link was opened and its exam title checked on the date shown.
More about this job
Requirements, hiring process, training, schedule and day-to-day work are on the national Police Officer page.
Police Officer in other states
More government jobs in Michigan
Michigan government jobs · Michigan public pension plans · police officer standards in Michigan · exam practice in Michigan