Kalamazoo Public Safety

Kalamazoo Public Safety Officer Ernie Knauf in Kalamazoo, Mich. on Tuesday January 20, 2015. (Christian Randolph | Kalamazoo Gazette)

KALAMAZOO, MI -- Two weeks remain to submit an application to become an officer with the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety.

Chief Jeff Hadley said the department is currently finishing the hiring process, and is seeking more qualified applicants to fill the shoes of retiring officers. The number of open positions is dependent on the outcome of the current hiring cycle, he said.

"We started advertising for another hiring process because based on our previous experience we generally only land between 10 and 13 qualified candidates," he said. "We will need more than that."

Free training is provided for all certifications, in addition to the starting wage. Newly hired officers start at $18.76 per hour. Those who have already received firefighter certifications will start at $20.62 per hour.

The new officers would begin in May 2017. Applications must be submitted by Sunday, Oct. 23, and can only be completed online at governmentjobs.com/careers/kalamazoomi.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens and have a high school diploma or GED equivalent, a valid driver's license and be 21 years old at time of appointment. Applicants will also be required to pass written and physical tests, and an extensive background check.

Kalamazoo Public Safety officers are cross trained as police officers, firefighters, and medical first responders. They respond to calls for police, fire, and medical emergencies, along with other duties.

Additional opportunities include detective, canine handler, community policing officer, narcotics investigator, crime lab technician, SWAT team member, bomb squad, honor guard, and command officer.

Applicants do not need to have prior police or fire certifications to be considered; KDPS will sponsor them through the police academy and provide fire training if needed.

A training wage may apply to those who need to attend the Police Academy.

The Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety also offers a Spanish language hiring bonus, a practice Hadley said helps the department respond to situations and provide services in incidents involving people for whom English isn't their first language.

KDPS encourages Kalamazoo-area residents to apply, and will give consideration to applicants from our community. Applicants who have lived, worked, or have been educated in urban or diverse environments or with military service will also receive additional consideration.