Careers at KDPS

Serving as a Public Safety Officer is a meaningful career with a competitive salary, great benefits, and many opportunities to advance. During recruiting periods, KDPS accepts applications from any interested candidates that have a heart for service. No experience is necessary for applicants hired during these periods as KDPS will provide paid training. KDPS always accepts applications from certified police officers and/or firefighters and even offers a $15,000 hiring incentive.   

You can view more details at www.kalamazoocity.org/jobs. If you're interested in applying during a recruitment period, complete a Job Interest Card for the position of "Public Safety Officer." If you are a certified officer and/or firefighter, you can apply at any time to the position that notes "Certified Process Only".

Qualifications

To be considered for employment, 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. 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 our Kalamazoo community.

Benefits

Public Safety Officers (PSOs) protect and serve the community by responding to calls for service involving police, fire, and medical emergencies in a professional and caring manner, to enhance the quality of life for all people in the City of Kalamazoo. KDPS offers a meaningful career that promotes balance between life and career and has opportunities for professional development and advancement through promotion.

Applicants do not need to have prior police, fire, or medical first responder certifications to be considered, as KDPS will sponsor hired applicants through the police academy and provide fire/EMS training, if needed. Additional benefits include, but are not limited to, a Spanish language bonus, veteran on-the-job training education benefits, a defined benefit pension plan, a $5,000 annual residency bonus, tuition reimbursement program, the federal direct student loan forgiveness program, and more.

Additionally, KDPS offers a lateral transfer incentive for current police officers (MCOLES certified/certifiable) and/or full-time firefighter/medical first responders. Police officers and/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/fire experience in regard to the current wage scale. This will significantly increase starting wages for eligible new hires. Qualified lateral transfers will also receive a $15,000 hiring bonus.

Advancement Opportunities

There are multiple career advancement opportunities for PSOs to include 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, Aviation Team Member, Bike Response Unit Member, Motorcycle Unit Member, Command Officer and more.