MDOC welcomes largest Officer Recruit Training Academy in almost a decade

LANSING, Mich – The Michigan Department of Corrections welcomed 281 new students to the fall Officer Recruit Training Academy.

The academy has seen a 55% increase in enrolled recruits from the previous class that graduated, making it the largest recruit class since 2015. The Lower Peninsula John Davis Class began on Oct. 14 and welcomed 233 recruits. The Upper Peninsula John Davis Class began on Sep. 30 and welcomed 49 new recruits.

“We are thrilled to see so many eager recruits joining the academy this fall to begin their career in corrections,” said MDOC Director Heidi E. Washington. “The numbers prove that our recruiting efforts are working. The fall academy class began with 100 more recruits than the last academy and the UP class has almost doubled.”   

Michigan’s corrections officer recruit training is considered some of the most comprehensive in the nation. During the 8-week academy, recruits learn the fundamentals of working as a corrections officer such as safety, de-escalation techniques, department procedures, legal compliance, and more. Once recruits have completed the academy, they will begin two months of on-the-job training where they will join the ranks of corrections officers across the state.  

The department is currently recruiting for the next Officer Recruit Training Academies which will begin in February. Participants in the academies will earn a minimum starting pay of $21.50 per hour on their first day of class, and will be eligible to make $68,500 per year, before overtime, in as little as three and a half years. In addition, they will have the added value of state benefits such as health and dental care, retirement, and discounts for higher education.

Residents who are interested in a career in corrections are encouraged to attend a recruitment event. Upcoming events, as well as information on minimum eligibility requirements, salary, and benefits, can be found at www.michigan.gov/mdocjobs.