Police Academy Certificate

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Academic Program Code: 819

The Law Enforcement program is a pre-service police academy program that prepares students to become eligible to be a licensed Police Officer in Michigan. Police agencies in Michigan require a recruit to attend a Police Academy program and receive an Associates Degree or higher. Students can attend the GRCC Police Academy if they already have a degree.

The Police Academy is a two semester program that runs Fall and Winter semester. All applicants must first complete an application and be screened to the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES). All potential recruits must pass all of the minimum MCOLES Standards, attend an interview and be selected into the program. Please refer to www.grcc.edu/criminaljustice for a schedule.

Contact: Police Academy Director (616) 234-3568

Program Admissions Requirements

The admission process for this program includes a full criminal background check. Students must provide a social security number in order for this process to be completed. False information is illegal and may be investigated as a criminal offense. Students are also required to be a U.S. citizen and show proof of citizenship.

CJ 164 is a mandatory class that must be taken if you do not have an Associate’s degree or higher. The class is optional if you have a degree or meet other MCOLES guidelines; all recruits must pass the MCOLES Pre-Enrollment Physical Agility test prior to admittance to the Police Academy. The class is offered in the summer semester, prior to the start of the Police Academy.

No POL courses can be transferred from another institution.

Program Courses

POL 100 - Wellness and Tactics I Credit Hours: 4
POL 101 - Firearms Credit Hours: 3
POL 104 - Criminal Law and Procedure I Credit Hours: 3
POL 105 - Criminal Law and Procedures II Credit Hours: 3
POL 106 - Patrol Procedures I Credit Hours: 4
POL 107 - Criminal Investigations I Credit Hours: 4
POL 108 - Introduction to Traffic Credit Hours: 3
POL 109 - Accident Investigations and OWI Laws Credit Hours: 3
POL 120 - Emergency Response Credit Hours: 4
POL 200 - Wellness and Tactics II Credit Hours: 4
POL 206 - Patrol Procedures II Credit Hours: 3
POL 207 - Criminal Investigations II Credit Hours: 4

Total Credit Hours

Program Notes

The Police Academy has the right to change the course sequencing or offerings at any time. CJ 164 - Police Academy Boot Camp is taken the Summer semester prior to starting the Police Academy. CJ 164 is a mandatory class that must be taken if you do not have at least an Associate’s degree. It is optional if you have a degree or meet other MCOLES guidelines. The class is offered in the summer semester, prior to the start of the Police Academy. All recruits must pass the MCOLES Pre-Enrollment Physical Agility test prior to admittance to the Police Academy.

In What Order Should I Take Classes?

Please select courses from the Priority I list. Select courses based on the number of credits you are taking in the semester, for example, if you are a part time student you do not have to take all of the courses listed. If you are unable to schedule Priority I courses, move to and select from the list of Priority II, Priority III, and Priority IV courses.

Priority I (Fall - Police Academy)

Priority II (Winter - Police Academy)

POL 100 - Wellness and Tactics I

POL 104 - Criminal Law and Procedure I

POL 106 - Patrol Procedures I

POL 107 - Criminal Investigations I

POL 108 - Introduction to Traffic

POL 120 - Emergency Response

POL 200 - Wellness and Tactics II

POL 105 - Criminal Law and Procedures II

POL 206 - Patrol Procedures II

POL 207 - Criminal Investigations II

POL 109 - Accident Investigations and OWI Laws

POL 101 - Firearms

NOTE: This priority schedule assumes the student is prepared to take the courses listed. If prerequisites are required, additional semesters may be required to complete this degree.

Meet with an Academic Program Advisor and consult My Degree Path for specific degree requirements

Essential Abilities/Technical Standards

Standards (Please refer to www.mcoles.org for all standards for Michigan Law Enforcement Officers).

Ethical Requirements: The Police Academy at GRCC prides itself on high ethical standards. Comprehensive background checks are conducted on all applicants. The potential recruit must possess a strong moral character and be free from any felony convictions. Misdemeanor convictions are determined on a case by case basis.

Physical Requirements: The Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES) requires potential recruits to pass a pre-enrollment physical fitness test. These standards are based on age and gender. The standards and individual events can be found at www.mcoles.org. A passing score on this test must be completed by the application deadline and 180 days prior to the start of the police academy.

Medical Standards: The recruit must pass all medical standards required by MCOLES. Recruits must pass the vision, hearing and medical standards during the application process. All information will be available with the Police Academy application. Police Academy Courses Classes designated as Police Academy classes are restricted to those recruits who have been formally selected into GRCC’s Police Academy.