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Police Academy

Police Academy

92% of KVCC Police Academy Alumni work in law enforcement - the highest in the state - compared with a statewide average of 69%!

NEXT ACADEMY: JANUARY 28, 2019 - MAY 17, 2019

MCOLES Testing Date: December 7, 2018

 For more information about the Kalamazoo Valley Police Officer Training Academy, call 269.353.1260.

Michigan state law requires county and local municipal law enforcement officers to be licensed by the state before they can enforce Michigan laws. Licensing is obtained by meeting minimum enrollment requirements, completing the basic training requirements established by the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES), and obtaining employment with a Michigan police agency.

The mandated training requirements may be accomplished at the Kalamazoo Valley Community College Police Academy. The academy is located at Kalamazoo Valley Community College's Groves Center, 7107 Elm Valley Drive, Kalamazoo MI 49009.

KVCC will grant 34 credits after successful completion of the entire Police Academy block of instruction.

Program Eligibility

State law requires that a law enforcement officer candidate:

  • Be a citizen of the United States of America.
  • Have attained the minimum age as established by the hiring agency, which shall not be less than 18 years or as otherwise provided by law.
  • Have no prior felony convictions (including expunged convictions).
  • Possess good moral character as determined by a favorable comprehensive background investigation covering school and employment records, home environment, and personal traits and integrity. Consideration will be given to all law violations, including traffic and conservation law convictions, as possibly indicating lack of good moral character.
  • Possess normal hearing, normal color vision, and normal visual functions and acuity in each eye correctable to 20/20. Be free from any of the impediment of the senses, physically sound, in possession of all extremities, and well developed physically, with height and weight in relation to each other as indicated by accepted medical standards.
  • Be free from physical defects, chronic diseases, organic diseases, organic functional conditions, or mental or emotional instabilities which may tend to impair the efficient performance of a law enforcement officer's duties or which might endanger the lives of others or the law enforcement officer.
  • Possess a valid Michigan vehicle operator's license.
    • Candidates must pass the MCOLES Pre-Enrollment Physical Fitness test and reading and writing test. Test information can be found here. Physical Fitness testing must be completed no more that 180 days prior to beginning the Police Academy.

Pre-Service Candidates

Those who meet the above MCOLES enrollment requirements, have passed the state's pre-employment tests, and have acquired either a two or four year degree or will complete their degree at the conclusion of the academy, are eligible to compete for a seat in the KVCC Police Academy as a pre-service (self-sponsored) candidate.

Our Staff

The KVCC Police Academy is recognized as the leading Police Training facility in the region, consistently graduating high achievers. In large part, these outcomes are due to the exceptional quality of the instruction provided to the trainee by the academy's experienced training staff.

Contact Us

Kalamazoo Valley Community College is located near Kalamazoo, Michigan. The Police Academy is conducted at the Groves Center Campus.

Staff is available Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (EST) to answer questions about the program.

General inquiries
269.353.1260

Mailing Address
Kalamazoo Valley Community College
The Groves Center
ATTN: Police Academy
PO Box 4070
Kalamazoo MI 49003

FAX
269.353.1266