As the scope of law enforcement's responsibilities and tasks continue to expand, the need for broadened and effective training has never been more critical. Today's line officers and leaders must be trained and capable of addressing a wide variety of challenges including changes in the law, evolving technology, substance abuse and a growing mental health crisis, to name a few.
Before becoming an Ann Arbor Police Officer, an individual must complete the following training:
New Hire Police Officer Training
All new police officer candidates must attend a certified police academy in the State of Michigan.
MCOLES requires 594 hours of training (14 weeks). Locally offered police academies are near 800 hours of training (17 weeks) covering the following topics (general overview): admin/scenarios, investigations, patrol procedures, detention/prosecution, police skills, traffic, special operations, 800 level courses. Lateral hires from outside the State of Michigan must have 1 year of prior law enforcement experience and must complete the MCOLES Recognition of Prior Training and Education before their hire date.
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All new hire police officers, including entry level and laterals, attend a 7-week (280 hours) Ann Arbor Police Department In-House Academy upon hire.
Officers take the oath of office and are sworn in at the end of the 7-week In-House Academy and then begin the ~16 week Field Training Program.
The Field Training Program (FTO) pairs new officers with experienced training officers. New officers are gradually given increased responsibility, while being evaluated on a daily basis. The FTO program concludes when new officers are able to exhibit the ability to function in a solo-capacity.
Following FTO, new officers are assigned to a shift and work in a solo-capacity as a probationary employee for the next year of their employment, while being monitored and evaluated by an assigned supervisor.
Beyond New Hire Training
Ann Arbor's commitment to training does not end after the new officer training. Officers in the Ann Arbor Police Department are among the most highly trained law enforcement personnel in the state. The department remains committed to continued training and education for every officer so that each can be prepared for a changing and dynamic world.
