Police Officer Preparation & Law Enforcement Resource - Archive

Warning this is a rant.

I am 21, a college student from Michigan. I am looking to become a LEO. I've done my fair research and I am litterally disgusted with Michigan and what it takes to become a LEO. Most departments expect you to certify yourself? Sure... I just spent $25k on college, let me spend 4k more to be certified and not be paid in the process, LOL. What a joke.

Then we have states like New Mexico and Texas come into my classroom, offer a 10k signing bonus... relocation $$$... free academy.... and not to mention, getting paid $14 and hour while in the academy. Seriously.

If Michigan wants to keep up with the rest of the country we need to wake up here.

I am not going to spend $4k to do something that I will get paid for 600 miles away.

Then move. Thats one less applicant that I need to compete with for when I go F/T :)

But seriously, our states economy isn't doing so good. So that is a main reason. If you want to be in law enforcement, go ahead and front the money up front. There are a lot of benefits to staying in Michigan. But I do see where you are coming from on why spend the $ when I can just move to another state that pays everything.


In Michigan, for every 1 Police Officer job you have well over 500 people applying for them. Check my sig for current LE Postings in the state.

By the way, MCOLES isn't really that hard.

$4000 for an academy? What one are you referring to? Just curious on that.

Seriously though, the benefits are much greater in other states for now. Some of us have family and such that can't leave however.

Then move. Thats one less applicant that I need to compete with for when I go F/T :)

Agreed! If you wanna stay, put yourself through if you don't just go. My plan is to put myself though if it fails, I'll leave..........Dallas has caught my eye:cool:

Agreed! If you wanna stay, put yourself through if you don't just go. My plan is to put myself though if it fails, I'll leave..........Dallas has caught my eye:cool:

Real Red Wings fan right there huh? :p

Real Red Wings fan right there huh? :p

Nothing to do with the hockey team but that $10,000 signing bonus looks nice! Also Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, and NYC.

I think you should move! Matter of fact, why not join the Army, I hear they have a signing bonus too and you're garunteed some action!

Warning this is a rant.

I am 21, a college student from Michigan. I am looking to become a LEO. I've done my fair research and I am litterally disgusted with Michigan and what it takes to become a LEO. Most departments expect you to certify yourself? Sure... I just spent $25k on college, let me spend 4k more to be certified and not be paid in the process, LOL. What a joke.

Then we have states like New Mexico and Texas come into my classroom, offer a 10k signing bonus... relocation $$$... free academy.... and not to mention, getting paid $14 and hour while in the academy. Seriously.

If Michigan wants to keep up with the rest of the country we need to wake up here.

I am not going to spend $4k to do something that I will get paid for 600 miles away.

So...what's your point? The LE job market in Michigan is terrible. You need to do what is required if you want to get a job in Michigan.

Or, as others have suggested, move.

I had no trouble paying my way through an academy. I considered it simply part of getting the bachelor's degree. Hell, student loans even covered the cost of the academy.

There's two ways of looking at this situation.You see the glass half full or half empty.;)

So...what's your point? The LE job market in Michigan is terrible. You need to do what is required if you want to get a job in Michigan.

Or, as others have suggested, move.

I had no trouble paying my way through an academy. I considered it simply part of getting the bachelor's degree. Hell, student loans even covered the cost of the academy.


I definelty am going to move. My point was that MI is crap right now. Just me ranting. I really think that if MI recruits were paid to get certified it would definetly help thier attitude towards the department.

I definelty am going to move. My point was that MI is crap right now. Just me ranting. I really think that if MI recruits were paid to get certified it would definetly help thier attitude towards the department.

Theres only maybe 20 departments in Michigan that will pay your way through an academy.

Look at Sheriff Depts. Where do you live.

As I said, move, I would like to easily go F/T :)