Dear Agency Head,

Thank you for your interest in sending an employed recruit to the GVSU Police Academy! Below you will find several items your agency must complete for them to gain admittance to the academy. Furthermore, the following four steps must be completed prior to the start of the academy:

1. Standards Compliance Verification Affidavit (generated in MITN and signed by the recruit and the agency head).
2. Candidate's Personal History Statement and Affidavit (21-page document located on MCOLES website, filled out, signed by the recruit, and notarized).
3. Candidate New Hire Affidavit (generated in MITN, signed by the agency head).
4. First Aid Certification

If you need any assistance in the process, please contact MCOLES Field Representative Gretchen Galloway, (517) 648-3767, [email protected].

2026 Admittance/Entrance PROCESS:

1. Agency contacts Academy Director with estimated number of attendees as soon as possible to request a seat hold (Note: preference over pre-service candidates only provided for agencies with in the GVSU geographical service area).
2. Agency contacts MCOLES Field Representative (see above) to determine eligibility and which MCOLES paperwork/standards screening needs to be completed. Agency is responsible for all screening, testing, documentation, and MITN entry.
3. Agency provides Academy Director with Employed Recruit(s): Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES) Candidate History Statement and Affidavit, including the Waiver & Authorization for Release of Information and all other MCOLES "required attachments" no later than:
   • March 9th for SPRING/SUMMER Basic Academy
   • May 4th for MP Veterans Academy
   • July 6th for FALL Basic Academy

       *Note - If you require an extension, you shall contact the Director prior to the due date to request an alternate due date.*

1. Academy Director will send Employed Recruit (and Agency Representative) instructions for applying to the university (as a student) before the scheduled orientation for their respective academy.
   • First week of March for SPRING/SUMMER Basic Academy
   • First week of April for SUMMER MP Veterans Academy
   • First week of July for FALL Basic Academy
2. Agency sponsored recruits and an agency representative will attend the mandatory Academy Orientation Meeting on:
   • March 24, 2026, for the 17-week Spring/Summer Basic Academy
   • May 14, 2026, for the MP Vets 8-week Summer Academy
   • July 8, 2026, for the 17-week Fall Basic Academy
     • NOTE: The Agency will be billed for the Student Fee.
     • NOTE: Course Registration information will be provided at the orientation meeting. Tuition bill will be sent to registering student or the agency (upon request).
3. The academy sessions:
   • SPRING/SUMMER 17-week Basic Police Academy session runs May 4 - August 27, 2026
   • SUMMER 8-week MP Vets Police Academy (dependent upon min. enrollment numbers) runs June 8 – July 30, 2026
   • FALL 17-week Fall Basic Academy session runs August 31 – December 23, 2026

Feel free to contact me with any questions,

Geoff Collard
Director of Criminal Justice Training
Grand Valley State University
515 S. Waverly Road
Holland, MI 49423
office: 616-331-8515 
[email protected]

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