Program Overview

January 2024 marks our 114th 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.

College students may use the academy to earn credits toward their degree.

Earning Potential

Interested in a career in law enforcement? Learn more about our region’s employment outlook and career opportunities you can pursue in this field of study.

Enforce law and order in rural or unincorporated districts or serve legal processes of courts. May patrol courthouse, guard court or grand jury or escort defendants.

median annual salary
annual job openings

are currently employed within the State of Michigan Prosperity Regions 5 and 6.

This number is expected to over the next four years.

of current workers will reach retirement age within the next ten years.

Visit Career Coach for more details.

Map of Michigan with Delta College's region highlighted.

About Delta's Program

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.

Distinguished Alumni

The Jill Gallihugh Distinguished Alumni Award was developed in 2005 to showcase academy graduates who are leaders in the law enforcement community. It recognizes professional and scholarly achievement.

Jill Gallihugh retired after 25 years of dedicated service to Delta in 2006, and played an integral part in the success of the academy.

READ about our latest recipient

Training topics

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.

Program Details

Entry requirements

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 information

Application Deadline
In order to secure your position in the next academy, your application must be completed by October 31, 2023. 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.

REQUEST AN APPLICATION PACKET

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 September 29, 2023)
Step 2 - Begin the Police Academy Application (Due by September 29, 2023)
Step 3 - Complete the Police Academy Application Process. This includes the MCOLES pre-enrollment tests. (Due by October 31, 2023)
Step 4 - Interview, scheduled by our office (Due by November 15, 2023)
Step 5 - Tuition Payment (Due by December 5, 2023)

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.

Cost

2023/2024 Fees and Costs

In-District - $8,671

You must have resided in Bay County, Saginaw County, or Midland County for at least six months.

Out-District - $10,150

Out-of-State - $10,320

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.

Equipment (required)

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

Facts & Figures

With a student to professor ratio of 16 to 1, our students get personal attention.

95% of our professors have a master’s degree or higher.

Related Programs

Delta College offers over 140 degree, certificate and training options. Continue exploring and advancing your education with these related programs: