Police Recruit 27-01

City of Grand Rapids; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Grand Rapids Police Department seeks candidates for Police Officer roles. Selected individuals will be sponsored to attend a designated Police Academy and must complete a mandatory orientation at Grand Valley State University.

From the start of the academy, you will be a paid City employee with promotion potential after graduation and licensing. Officers respond to calls 24/7, deter crime, protect property, and interact with the public daily.

Qualifications

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Must have a valid driver's license and be able to obtain Michigan driver's license by date of hire.
• Must have a high school diploma or GED.
• Some experience communicating with people under varying circumstances.
• Ability to pass a background investigation.
• Ability to meet MCOLES requirements.
• Tattoos on hands, neck, or face are not allowed per department policy.

Responsibilities

• Deter crime and respond to emergency calls on a 24-hour basis.
• Protect property and resolve conflicts between individuals.
• Interact with the public daily to maintain community safety.

Skills

Communication with diverse people

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

This recruitment process is for the selection of candidates to be hired by the City of Grand Rapids Police Department. Candidates who are selected for employment will be sponsored by the City to attend a designated Police Academy. A mandatory Police Academy Orientation at Grand Valley State University (GVSU) will be scheduled at a date to be determined. You must be available for the orientation and entire training academy and pass the MCOLES State Licensing Exam for Police Officers at the end of the academy. If selected, you will be a paid City of Grand Rapids Police Department employee from the start of the Academy with the expectation that your employment will continue after academy graduation and passing the licensing exam, which would result in promotion to the Police Officer classification.

Grand Rapids Police Officers respond to emergency calls for service on a 24-hour a day basis. These positions perform duties that deter crime, respond to citizen calls for service, protect property, and resolve conflicts between different people. Officers interact with the public on a daily basis.

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Must have a valid driver's license and be able to obtain a Michigan's Driver's license by date of hire.
• Must have a high school diploma or GED.
• Some experience involving communicating with people under varyingcircumstances.
• Ability to pass a background investigation.
• Ability to meet MCOLES requirements. Please review the requirements HERE.
• Please note: For this position, tattoos on the hands, neck, or face are not allowed per Grand Rapids Police Department Policy.

• Pass MCOLES Reading and Writing Exam.
• Pass MCOLES Physical Fitness pre-employment examinations within 180 days of starting a Police Academy.
• Other MCOLES minimum requirements reference the following standards: Physical Ability, Hearing standards, Psychological Fitness, Vision/Color standards, Training requirements, Licensing Exam, Fingerprinting, Oral Interview and drug testing (http://www.michigan.gov/mcoles).

HIRING PROCESS

(Dates may be subject to change)

• Application: Must apply by September 18, 2026.
• City of Grand Rapids Entrance Exam: October 5 & October 6, 2026 (Virtual: October 6, 2026). Candidates residing 250 or more miles away will be offered a virtual test
  • National Criminal Justice Officer Selection Inventory (cognitive/integrity)
  • Study guides are available at GR Public Libraries or for purchase (New Study Guide Link)
• Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES Tests)
  • Physical Fitness Test information HERE
  • Reading and Writing Test information can be found HERE.
• Oral Exams: October 19 & October 20, 2026 @ City Hall. October 21, 2026 (Virtual)
• Personal History Questionnaire: You will receive an invitation from Guardian to create account and initiate the process. 14 days to complete.
• Personal History Questionnaire Due Date: November 5, 2026.
• Academy Orientation (Mandatory): TBD.
• Police Academy begins: TBD.

All communication regarding this position will be done via email.

If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to our Leaves and Accommodations Analyst, Amanda Kaulback. Email [e-mail] or [e-mail] or by phone at [phone].

The City of Grand Rapids does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy or gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.

Please Note: This position is subject to the provisions of the applicable collective bargaining agreement and all relevant civil service rules. For additional information, links to union agreement and Civil Service Rules are provided below.

Collective Bargaining Agreements

Civil Service Rules (Download PDF reader) (Download PDF reader) (Download PDF reader)

THIS POSITION IS NOT COVERED BY SOCIAL SECURITY. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS, PLEASE CLICK HERE.