The Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety is now accepting applications for Public Safety Officers (PSOs) through Friday, December 23, 2022. Applications may be submitted online at www.kalamazoocity.org/jobs.
The hiring process includes an application, a written test, a physical agility test, a background investigation, and several interviews throughout the process. If these steps are successfully completed, it is anticipated that an offer of employment will be given in March 2023.
Qualifications
Applicants must be a U.S. citizen, have a high school diploma or GED equivalent, possess a valid driver’s license, and be 21 years old at time of appointment (April 2023). Applicants will also be required to pass a written and physical test and undergo an extensive background investigation. KDPS seeks candidates with integrity, a strong work ethic, and a desire to serve the people of Kalamazoo.
Benefits
PSOs protect and serve the community by providing police, fire, and emergency medical service in a professional and caring manner to every person in our community. KDPS offers a meaningful career that promotes balance between life and career and has opportunities for professional development and advancement through promotion.
KDPS will sponsor hired applicants through the police academy and provide any other training necessary, so applicants do not need to have prior police or fire certifications. Additional benefits include a Spanish language bonus, on-the-job training, education benefits, a defined benefit pension plan, a $5,000 annual residency bonus, tuition reimbursement, the federal direct student loan forgiveness program, among others.
Additionally, KDPS offers lateral transfers for current police officers (MCOLES certified/certifiable) and full-time firefighter/medical first responders. Police officers or firefighters currently employed full-time and in good standing with another police or fire agency have the opportunity to laterally transfer up to three years of police experience in regard to the current wage scale. This lateral transfer will significantly increase starting wages for eligible new hires.
Advancement Opportunities
There are multiple career advancement opportunities for PSOs like the positions of Detective, Canine Handler, Community Policing Officer, Narcotics Investigator, Crime Lab Technician, SWAT Technician, Bomb Squad Technician, Recruiter, Fire Marshal, Honor Guard Member, Peer Fitness Trainer, Training Officer, Technical Rescue Team Member, and Command Officer.
Information about KDPS is available at www.kalamazoopublicsafety.org and questions can be submitted through the “Contact” link at the top of the Home Page.
To speak to a recruiter about a career with KDPS please call (269) 337-8238 or email Sgt. Fidel Mireles ( mirelesf@kalamazoocity.org ) or Lt. Lakisha McMillon ( mcmillonl@kalamazoocity.org )
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