The Police Academy at Radcliff Center stresses teamwork, team building, driving, firearms, defensive tactics, conflict resolution, legal issues and first aid. An Academy graduate is certifiable to become a law enforcement officer anywhere in Michigan.

Recruits who attend the Academy either have graduated from the criminal justice program with an associate degree and add the 21 Academy credits to their resume, or enroll simultaneously in both the criminal justice program and Academy. A third option is sponsorship by a police department.

A potential recruit must pass state-mandated reading and writing tests, a physical agility test, and a certification examination at the end of the academy program. The job market for law enforcement officers currently is very lively, with police departments from Dallas, Texas Fairfax, Virginia and Gillette, Wyoming recruiting at the Academy. In addition, local police departments recruit at the Academy throughout the program’s 16 weeks. For someone with self confidence and a take-charge attitude, a career in law enforcement yields a good salary and benefits, and the satisfaction of helping and protecting others.