Sponsored Police Recruit

Police officer putting a police vest on Louie the Laker

What is a Sponsored Police Recruit?

A sponsored police recruit is a Grand Valley State University Police Department employee sponsored to attend a The Grand Valley Police Academy. Upon successful completion of the police academy and licensing through MCOLES, the recruit will be reclassified to a Police Officer. Sponsored police recruits will be paid an hourly wage and receive benefits while attending the academy. GVPD will cover the police academy tuition and other directly related costs. 

 

REQUIREMENTS: 

  • Must be at least 18 years of age.
  • Must be a citizen of the United States at the time of testing.
  • Must have a high school diploma or GED. 
  • Must have a valid Michigan driver's license. 
  • Must not have any felony convictions or certain misdemeanor convictions. 
Female police officer raising right hand to swear to oath of office administered by President Mantella

Salary

Effective 6/1/2024 - 5/31/2024

Starting recruit pay:
$25.72/hour

 

Upon successful completion of the police academy: 

Starting officer pay: 
$29.90/hour 

Top officer pay: 
$38.92/hour
 

Police cruiser with fall colored trees in the background

Benefits

Benefits for full time employees include: 

  • Overtime
  • Sick leave
  • Exercise/Wellness Release Time
  • Tuition Waiver/Reduction
  • Parental Leave
  • Vacation Leave
  • Holiday Leave
  • Senior Officer Pay
  • Health/Dental Coverage
  • Death Benefit & Insurance
  • Retirement Benefits
  • Long Term Disability

Please visit the Police Officer Salary & Benefits page for further details on these benefits. 

Police officer in front of a cruiser smiling

Hiring Process

  1. Fill out an application at www.gvsu.edu/jobs. Search for the Sponsored Police Recruit posting. 
  2. GVPD will contact you for an oral board interview. 
  3. Complete the MCOLES Physical Agility and Reading & Writing Test
  4. Complete & submit a personal history packet. 
  5. Background pre-screen. 
  6. Background investigation. 
  7. Administrative review. 
  8. Chief's interview. 
  9. Conditional offer. 
  10. Physical & psychological exam. 
  11. Meet Police Academy entrance requirements. 
  12. Attend police academy orientation. 
  13. Successfully complete police academy. 
  14. Reclassified to police officer. 


Page last modified October 7, 2024