Police Academy

Police Academy

21st Century Policing, 50-Year History 

Train at one of the top facilities in the U.S. For more than 50 years, the Oakland Police Academy has graduated high-achieving officers. Join a long line of police cadets and discover what makes Oakland Police Academy a great place to start or advance your law enforcement career: 

  • Exceptional instruction by dedicated professionals with years of experience in the field 
  • Real life scenarios, simulations and classes designed for 21st century policing 
  • Live labs at the Combined Regional Emergency Services Training (CREST) center 
  • On-site, indoor firing range 
  • New driving pad (anticipated 2025) 

Where the Best in You Becomes the Best of Us 

Choosing to serve your community as a police officer requires courage and integrity. Oakland Police Academy honors your strengths and sees each cadet as an individual. We work with you, facing the challenges and stresses of training so you can go into the field, capable and confident. 

“To paraphrase a well-known quote: ‘Don’t ever lose that deep part of you that allows you to stand for things without which humankind cannot survive: Love that conquers hate, peace that rises triumphant over war, and justice that proves more powerful than greed.’” 

--David Ceci, Dean of Public Services/CREST and Director of Law Enforcement Training 

 A Worthwhile Life & A Good Living 

A career in public service has many rewards—especially those intangible rewards of helping your community, taking risks to protect others and being the face and heart of a strong, compassionate justice system. 

The officers who take those risks and deliver that service can also make a good living for themselves and their families: 

  • $62,600* average pay for police officers in Michigan according to Salary.com.  
  • $73,025* starting pay for entry-level police officers in the Troy Police Department ($91,520 after six years) 
  • $56,855* starting pay in the Canton Township Police Department ($96,268 after four years)

 *updated January 2024  

Basic Police Training: Become a Police Officer 

Required steps before registering: 

  • Attend Academy Orientation 
  • *Complete MCOLES pre-registration tests (physical agility, reading and writing)  
  • *Background check, character interview, physical pre-screening, medical interview 

*Learn more at orientation. 

Full-Time Academy, Standard Schedule:
Date:   January 27, 2025, through May 30, 2025 
Standard Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:55 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. | Occasional evening or weekend training 

Future Full-Time Academy Dates:
Date: June 12, 2025, through October 15, 2025 and August 6, 2025 through December 12, 2025

Part-Time Academy, Standard Schedule:
Date: January 27, 2025 through September 26, 2025  
Standard Schedule: 3-4 weeknights from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. | Every other weekend from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.  

Orientation (Pre-Registration - Not Required)

How to Become a Police Officer 

Basic Police Training

Specialized & Advanced Training at Oakland Police Academy 

You must hold an associate degree or higher to become a police officer in Michigan. OCC's Criminal Justice programs offer a comprehensive education that meets the entrance requirements for the Police Academy at OCC. If you have started a college degree, talk to us about how the Police Academy might help you finish one.
Did you know?