August 2025 marks our 117th police academy! Since our origin in 1967, we've trained
hundreds of officers. Our 17-week training program is approved by the Michigan Commission
on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES). Cadets completing our academy and passing the
MCOLES State Examination are eligible for certification as law enforcement officers in Michigan.
We provide the training (that meets or exceeds MCOLES standards), and assist in developing
your knowledge and skills, which together form the foundation for a successful career
in law enforcement.
One of the unique features of our police academy program is, that as a result of where
we're located, we're able to successfully train individuals for the needs of larger
urban communities and smaller rural communities.
You'll attend a program with an excellent reputation. Based, in part, on our highly-qualified
instructors who have worked for the FBI, ATF, Michigan State Police, Michigan DNR,
as well as numerous city, county and local township law enforcement agencies.
In addition to learning from instructors who've done the job, recruits attending our
academy will receive 594 hours of MCOLES mandated instruction. Plus, additional training
to become MCOLES certified radar/lidar operators, MCOLES certified PBT operators and
American Heart certified First Aid for First Responders and CPR/AED for Professional
Rescuers. You'll be prepared with a total of nearly 740 hours of instruction.
College students may use the academy to earn credits toward their degree.
Be successful. Develop these skills.
CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers
Preliminary Breath Test (PBT) –certification
Basic Radar/Lidar –certification
Training Scenarios
Pepper Spray
Resume Preparation
Job Interviewing Skills
K-9 Use in Police Work
Computer Crimes
Response to Biological/Nuclear Incidents
Motor Carrier Laws
Child Abduction (Amber Alert)/Missing Children
Federal Laws
Surviving Edged Weapons
Auto Theft
Gangs/Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs
CCW Laws
TASER
DNR Laws
Human Trafficking
A Certificate of Achievement may be obtained upon successful completion of the Academy.
This may be used toward a laddered certificate program. If you have any questions,
please contact us.
MCOLES Standards To enter the Police Academy, you must meet the Standards established by the Michigan
Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES). Delta College offers the Pre-Employment
reading/writing and physical fitness tests for your convenience. They are required prior to enrollment in the program.
The educational prerequisites are:
A minimum of an associate degree from an accredited college or university must have
been completed; or
Completing degree requisites through Delta College's Criminal Justice Law Enforcement
Program with Basic Police Training Option; or
Criminal Justice Students from Saginaw Valley State University, Mid-Michigan Community
College, and Alpena Community College may also attend Delta College's Police Academy
as part of their law enforcement degree; or
MCOLES may issues an educational waiver upon completion of a military police academy
and one year service as a military police officer.
Application Deadline In order to secure your position in the next academy, your application must be completed by May 30, 2025. The sooner, the better. On average, it takes about
four weeks to complete all the application requirements. If you are seeking financial
aid and/or a loan, you must have proper documentation outlining your approval amounts.
Application Timeline The application procedure is a multi-step process. As a guide, we've provided a basic
timeline.
Step 1 - Become a Delta College student or guest student (Due by April 30, 2025) Step 2 - Begin the Police Academy Application (Due by April 30, 2025) Step 3 - Complete the Police Academy Application Process. This includes the MCOLES pre-enrollment tests. (Due by May 30, 2025) Step 4 - Interview, scheduled by our office (Due by June 20, 2025) Step 5 - Tuition Payment (Due by July 29, 2025)
Get in Shape Recruits reporting to the Training Academy are strongly advised to begin physical
training several months before the start of the academy. The academy recruit school
is not the time or place to start developing basic physical fitness.
Note Late applicants or anyone not meeting these deadlines will have their eligibility
to attend the Academy determined on a case by case basis.
You must have resided in Bay County, Saginaw County, or Midland County for at least
six months.
Out-District - To Be Determined
Out-of-State - To Be Determined
The above fees cover books and training materials as well as the required uniform
minimum. Please refer to Equipment (required) as you may encounter additional expenses
obtaining these items.
Scholarships may be available. The Delta College Police Academy encourages you to fill out the FAFSA (Free Application
for Federal Student Aid) as most scholarships require this form to be completed in
order to be eligible for scholarships. You will also need to complete a scholarship application as well as write an essay. For more information, please contact Delta College Financial Aid.
The following equipment must be provided by each cadet:
White handkerchiefs
White crew neck t-shirts
Flip flops or shower shoes
Swim suit - navy blue for men or one-piece athletic suit for women - navy blue
Compression shorts for women (if desired to wear with swimsuit)
Newer running shoes
Bathing towels
Shoe polishing kit
White ankle athletic socks for PT
Dark blue socks to cover the white socks when wearing boots
Black gloves for cold weather (any kind)
Computer thumb drive (USB memory sticks)
Black leather boots, 8" tall
Shirt Stays or Shirt Garter (recommended but not required)
Duty belt
Belt keepers
Handgun (9mm or 40 Cal. Must be full sized or compact NOT subcompact) (Model selected
should be one commonly used by area law enforcement agencies. Please contact Academy
staff prior to purchasing any handgun for academy use.)
Holster (threat level two with thumb break) (Holster must be designed for specific
handgun used.)
3 cartridge magazines
Magazine holders
Handcuff case
Flashlight of your choice (Mag Lite, Stinger, Streamlight or similar)
Flashlight holder
Mouth guard
Laptop Computer
Related Programs
Corrections Academy – Certificate
Delta provides the 160-hour correction officer training mandated and approved by the
Michigan Sheriff's Coordinating and Training Council (MSCTC) forming the foundation
for a successful career in corrections. One of the unique features of our police academy
program is, that as a result of where we're located, we're able to successfully train
individuals for the needs of county sheriff's offices.
