Kirtland Regional Police Academy

Upcoming Police Academies

August 11, 2025 – December 5, 2025
Screening begins February 12, 2025

Graduating from our Regional Police Academy program will allow you to acquire the necessary basic skills and knowledge required to pursue a career in law enforcement. During your 17 weeks of training you will cover a variety of modules including criminal law, investigative techniques, physical fitness, firearms training, defensive tactics, and ethics, and so much more. The program prepares you for the demands of police work, including emergency response, community relations, and maintaining public safety, ensuring you’re ready for a career in this profession. . The Kirtland Regional Police Academy goes above and beyond the state of Michigan basic academy requirements to better prepare the student for a career in law enforcement.Our Police Academy program includes:

Police Academy (CC)

The Kirtland Regional Police Academy is where aspiring officers receive the education and practical skills necessary for a career in policing. . The curriculum includes courses on criminal law, investigations, ethics, community relations, and physical fitness. Trainees also learn to use law enforcement tools such as firearms, handcuffs, and vehicles, preparing them for real-world situations. Our graduates learn and live by our five core values of professionalism, respect, integrity, discipline, & accountability.

Choosing to become an officer offers the opportunity to make a significant impact on public safety and the community. Law enforcement officers serve as the front line of defense, protecting citizens, enforcing laws, and helping maintain peace. The profession is both challenging and rewarding, offering a unique sense of purpose in preserving justice and security.

Opportunity to protect and serve the community
Job stability and benefits, including pension plans
Varied career paths, such as detective, K-9, and SWAT
Development of leadership, problem-solving, and crisis management skills

The Kirtland Regional Police Academy equips future officers with the knowledge and skills needed for a fulfilling career in police services or policing, offering opportunities to protect communities, grow professionally, and make a lasting impact on public safety.

What’s distinctive about our Police Academy program?

A 98% placement rate and 99% pass rate on the MCOLES licensing exam.
The mix of classroom and hands-on work produces results.
Our state-of-the-art multi-screen interactive simulator and a remote-controlled LIVE FIRE target system brings modern technology into the classroom.
Our instructors are experts in their related field, most still work in the profession and apply that knowledge to their modules.

Police Academy Program Details

Loading…

Police Academy, Certificate of Completion	In District	Out of District
Tuition and Fees	9,350	12,550
Textbooks	0	0
Miscellaneous Expenses (see below)	450	450
Total	9,800	13,000

Please Note
*All costs listed are estimated and are subject to change at any time. Students will receive final costs at the time of course registration each semester.

Miscellaneous Expenses

The following expenses are NOT included in tuition/fees and are to be paid to the appropriate organization

Pre-Enrollment Reading and Writing Test: $68
Register and pay with credit card online at MCOLES website
Pre-Enrollment Physical Fitness Test: $55
Schedules and registration information online at MCOLES website
Physical, Psychological, Vision, and Hearing Exams
Varies by doctor’s office
Professional Rescuer Card (AED & CPR): Varies
Pre-enrollment requirement – must obtain if not already certified
Live Scan Fingerprint Report: average $65 – $75
Pre-enrollment screening requirement – due at time of service
Secretary of State Complete Driving Record Report: $12
Pre-enrollment screening requirement – due at time of service
MCOLES Licensing Exam: $75
Administered the last week of the Academy. Register and pay by credit card online at MCOLES website

These expenses are estimated and subject to change at any time without prior notice.

*Cost of the mandatory textbooks is included in Tuition and Fees. Cadets may opt to purchase the same books from an alternate source and receive a credit equal to the actual KRPA purchase price of the book(s). To be eligible to opt-out cadets must have the required books in their possession by the first day of the Academy.

Payment Options

IN-DISTRICT RATES: A student may be assessed the in-district rate after providing proof showing that he/she resides in the Kirtland College district. Documentation must be submitted prior to the first day of the Academy. Residency is established in the Admissions office by one of the following methods: Driver’s License, Rental Receipt, Secretary of State Identification Card, Voters Registration Card, or Property Tax Receipt.

In-district residency is automatically granted to 3 + 1 eligible students and Agency Sponsored recruits. (*See Residency Policy and Police Academy Admission Process for more information).

Cash, Check, or Money Order payable to

Kirtland Community College
Student Accounts Office
4800 W Four Mile Rd
Grayling, MI 49738

VISA, MasterCard, Discover, AMEX call 989-275-6751, Ext. 412

Pell grant or student loan

Monthly Payment Plan

Contact your home college or Kirtland’s Financial Aid Office at 989-275-5000, ext. 257.

Purchase order from a sponsoring department

Submit to:

Criminal Justice Programs Office
Kirtland Community College
4800 W Four Mile Rd
Grayling, MI 49738

Veterans Benefits

Visit www.gibill.va.gov or call 1-888-442-4551

Academic Eligibility

Academy candidates must meet ONE of the following academic criteria:

Have earned an associate degree or higher through an accredited college or university prior to the start of the academy; OR
Have completed degree prerequisites through the Kirtland Community College Criminal Justice Pre-Service degree program AND the academy will complete your associate degree; OR
Have completed coursework through a partnering “3+1” college AND the academy will complete your associate degree (3+1 consortium agreements are currently in place with these partnering colleges: North Central Michigan College, Alpena Community College, Mid Michigan Community College and Baker College) OR
Be employed by and sponsored* by a police or sheriff’s department; OR
Qualify for a Military Police Educational Waiver from MCOLES including the completion of a military police academy and serving at least 2080 hours as a military police officer

*Sponsored cadets with veteran’s or tribal benefits may be able to utilize those benefits to offset the tuition expense to the sponsoring agency.

Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES) Screening Process

To enter the Academy, a candidate must meet the Employment Standards for Michigan Law Enforcement Officers

Criminal Justice staff will provide you with the information and forms that you need to complete the MCOLES Screening Process. You will submit your completed forms and required documents to us. We will review your information, contact you regarding any items that need further attention, and create a file for review and final approval by MCOLES. The following is a list of the current academy screening requirements:

Establishment of academic eligibility (see criteria above)
- Official Transcripts (candidates with degrees and 3+1 candidates)
- Credit Audit and Verification Statement (3+1 candidates only)
- MCOLES Military Police Education Waiver (eligible candidates only)
- Agency Sponsorship Verification Letter (sponsored cadets only)
Completion and submission of forms
- Personal History Statement and Affidavit
- Medical History Statement
- Physician’s Statement of Applicant’s Medical Condition
- Physician’s Health Screening Form
- LEIN Advisement and Acknowledgement
Submission of copies of required documents
- Driver’s license
- CPR/AED certification
- Live Scan Fingerprint report
- Driving Record report
- Proof of U.S. Citizenship
- MCOLES pre-enrollment Physical Fitness test results
- MCOLES pre-enrollment Reading/Writing test results
Attendance at the Mandatory Academy Orientation

MCOLES Pre-Enrollment Testing

Kirtland is one of several authorized MCOLES Testing Centers for the pre-enrollment Reading and Writing exam and Physical Fitness test. Kirtland conducts testing within the month preceding each academy orientation.

To view test dates and registration information for the Physical Fitness Test and the Reading and Writing exam follow the links on the MCOLES website.

Mandatory Academy Orientation/Screening Submittals

Recruits should work toward completing their application and screening in advance of the mandatory academy orientation

Getting Started

We are here to guide you through the process! Ready to begin? Have questions? Please contact us at 989-275-5000, ext. 348 or [email protected]

Kirtland Community College (KCC) is one of only two sites authorized by the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES) to conduct the RPTE Program for former and out-of-state officers trying to become certifiable in Michigan.

Candidates who meet the program eligibility requirements must first apply to MCOLES. For information, contact Pat Hutting at 517-636-7868 or [email protected]

Once the candidate has received approval from MCOLES, he/she should refer to the program schedule. RPTE Programs are offered once per month. KCC conducts RPTE Programs from April through September.

For information or to register for the KCC program call 989-275-5000, ext. 348.

At the end of the program students will be able to:

demonstrate, through written examination, scenario and skill assessment, the mandated basic requirements in patrol procedures, police skills, traffic enforcement, special operations, computer/internet skills, research skills, communication skills, critical thinking, and problem solving.
demonstrate a mastery via written examinations and physical skills tests in firearms, first aid, emergency vehicle operations, subject control, and physical training.

(NOTE: You cannot sit for the state licensing exam if you fail a skill area, or fail to meet mandated standards.)

The Police Academy program is operated by Kirtland Community College under the authority of the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES). At the conclusion of the academy, all cadets who have successfully met MCOLES standards will sit for the licensing exam. Upon passing the exam (two attempts are allowed) graduates are considered certifiable, and have one year from the completion of the academy to gain employment with a law enforcement agency. The hiring agency completes the certification process, and the officer is granted full enforcement authority.

State licensing exams pass rate percentage: 99%
Retention rate percentage: 100%
Positive Placement percentage: 98%

Careers related to Police Academy

About Police Academy at Kirtland

Christophor Periatt

Criminal Justice Program Director
Kirtland Regional Police Academy Program Director

Kirtland Community College Regional Police Academy has the prestigious reputation of successfully preparing cadets to work for law enforcement agencies in the state of Michigan. Our 17-week program exceeds the mandatory hours required by the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES). Our program has a 90% pass rate on the state licensing exam and a 100% employment record for all of our graduates. Our instructors bring decades of real-world experience that cannot be found in a classroom. It is for these reasons why so many agencies throughout northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula choose Kirtland Regional Police Academy to send their personnel to.