Public Safety Officer (PSO)

Description/Distinguishing Features

THIS POSTING IS INTENDED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. NO APPLICATIONS ARE ACCEPTED WITHIN THIS POSTING*

Please see the Certified Process that is open on our website for more information.

Starting Wages

• Recruits (no experience) and Police Academy Graduates: $55,779.36 + overtime opportunities
• Experienced Police Officers (full Or Part Time/MCOLES Certified Or Able To Be Certified Through RPTE Program) And/or Fire Fighter I & II (full Time And Licensed MFR): $62,418.72 (less than 1 year of service)
• $66,066.00 (1 year to less than 2 years of service)
• $69,101.76 (2 years to less than 3 years of service)
• $72,181.20 (3 years or more of completed service)

Paid to Train

From the date of hire, Recruits are paid fulltime hourly wages to attend all basic training including the Police Academy, Fire Academy, MFR Academy, Advanced Police Academy, and Field Training Officer Program. All tuition, fees, uniforms, and equipment are provided/paid for by KDPS. Additional training for future assignments is also provided from KDPS staff and outside vendors.

Residency Bonus

Recruits receive an annual $5,000 residency bonus for living within the City of Kalamazoo; Restrictions apply.

Military On-the-Job Training Benefits

Military on-the-job training benefits are available while attending the Police Academy, Fire Academy, MFR Academy, Advanced Police Academy, and Field Training. Additionally, military personnel may buy back up to three years of credited service toward a full pension.

Student Loan Forgiveness Program

KDPS is an eligible employer for the federal student loan forgiveness program.

Lateral Transfer Hiring Bonus

Certified police officers and fulltime firefighters with MFR licensure are eligible for a $15,000 lateral transfer hiring incentive. KDPS also allows reciprocal service time under Public Act 88.

Defined-Benefit Pension Plan

Recruits are eligible for a normal retirement benefit after 25 years of credited service (4.5% employee contribution).

Essential Qualifications

• Must be 21 years old
• Must have Character Fitness (good moral character)
• Must have a valid driver's license
• Must be a U.S. citizen
• Must meet all MCOLES licensing requirements found at https://www.michigan.gov/mcoles/standard-training/licensing-standards-for-michigan-law-enforcement-officers .

Examples of Duties Required

PSOs perform a wide range of duties specifically related to providing police, fire, and medical services in the City of Kalamazoo. Some of the duties are listed below. However, the list is not exhaustive of every duty that a PSO may be required to perform:

• Responds to calls for service that require police, fire, or medically trained professionals.
• Patrols an assigned zone, responds to calls for service to include high risk situations and those involving mental health crisis, enforces traffic laws, conducts criminal investigations, and makes lawful arrests.
• Responds to working fires, investigates fire alarms and smoke, provides vehicle extrication, conducts traffic control during vehicle crash investigations, and mitigates hazardous material incidents.
• Responds to medical calls for service including heart attacks and trauma, assists advanced life support services in rendering medical care, renders CPR and other lifesaving medical interventions as needed, and monitors patient status during the course of care.
• Collaborates with the community to solve problems and build trust.
• Performs any other duty assigned by command or required by policy to further the organizational needs of KDPS.

Acceptable Training and Experience

• Minimum of High School Diploma; Associate or higher preferred, or any combination of education, training, and experience which provides the essential knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the functions of the job.

City of Kalamazoo is an Equal Opportunity Employer

We are committed to creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive organization where different perspectives and experiences are welcomed and encouraged. Studies have shown that women and people of color, are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet all of the qualifications listed. The City of Kalamazoo is most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one from a less traditional background. If you have transferable experience, please tell us about it. This approach will give each current and potential employee the opportunity to learn, grow and contribute to the City of Kalamazoo.

Benefits

• Competitive benefits including health, dental, and vision insurance, flexible spending accounts, group life insurance, long and short-term disability, paid time off, a defined benefits pension plan, a 457 deferred compensation plan, and a retirement health care savings plan (HCSP).
• The benefits for this position are negotiated between the City of Kalamazoo and Kalamazoo Public Safety Officer Association (KPSOA).
• Please note: these benefits are subject to change.