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Position Summary

The Michigan State University Department of Police and Public Safety (DPPS) is a full-service law enforcement agency serving one of the largest and most dynamic college campuses in the nation, where proactive policing, community engagement, and readiness for critical incidents are core to our mission. 

MSU police officers provide a wide range of services, including patrol, investigations, K9 operations, community policing, bicycle patrol, special event policing, and emergency preparedness and response. Officers also have opportunities to serve on regional specialty teams, including the Ingham Regional Special Response Team, Ingham Regional Crisis Negotiation Team, Ingham Regional Crash Investigation Team, and other specialized task force assignments and training cadres.

Position Duties

This is a sworn law enforcement position responsible for protecting life and property through the enforcement of laws and ordinances. Officers perform a variety of police duties with an emphasis on community policing, problem-solving, and professional engagement within a large and diverse university community.

Primary responsibilities include general patrol, crime prevention, traffic enforcement, and the documentation and investigation of criminal incidents, accidents, and traffic crashes. Officers actively train for and respond to critical incidents, handle a wide range of calls for service, and work collaboratively with campus partners to address safety concerns.

Additional duties include interviewing witnesses, victims, and suspects; preparing reports and case files; making arrests; transporting persons and property; serving warrants and subpoenas; and testifying in criminal, civil, and administrative proceedings. Officers also respond to medical emergencies and provide crowd and traffic control for numerous large-scale campus and community events.

Work Schedule

Being a 24-hour operation, patrol officers work 12-hour shifts that includes days, afternoons, nights, weekends, and holidays. Nights and weekends are part of normal schedules. Overtime is required based on operational needs, special events, and critical incidents. 

Salary Range

$69,413 - $87,606 commensurate with experience
Top pay in 2029: $98,545

Highlighted benefits

• Tuition Benefit Program for dependents and spouses from date of hire
• Educational assistance for yourself after 12 months
• 10.5% employer retirement contributions with immediate vesting when employee contributes 5% of wages
• Generous paid time off including:
  • Paid parental leave upon meeting eligibility requirements
  • 13 paid holidays/winter break days
  • Personal, personal observance and vacation time
  • Paid sick time

Minimum Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Associate’s degree OR Completion of 24 semester credit (or term equivalency) hours of college level coursework (some military course credits may be used for equivalency) and two years of relevant law enforcement experience or two years of active or completed military commitment in good standing
• Completion of an accredited police training academy or training
• Current MCOLES license and certification (or ability to obtain license and certification)
  • Out of State certified applicants or candidates with a lapse in certification must be able to pass MCOLES Recognition of Prior Training and Experience (RPTE) program or testing prior to final job offer

Desired Qualifications

• Previous law enforcement experience as described in position description

Ideal candidates will possess the professionalism, integrity, and flexibility required to serve a large university community and respond effectively to routine and critical incidents.

Applicants must:

• Be available to work 12-hour shifts, including nights, weekends, holidays, and assigned overtime
• Be a United States citizen, as required by the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES)
• Possess a valid Michigan driver’s license with a satisfactory driving record
• Have no pending or prior felony convictions and successfully pass a criminal history records check
• Meet physical and medical standards as determined by the University’s medical provider
• Demonstrate good moral character, as determined through a comprehensive background investigation, including employment, education, and personal history

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Application Materials

• Application
• Cover Letter
• Resume
• 3 Professional References
• 3 Personal References
• MCOLES Number

Special Instructions

Clearly indicate MCOLES Status and number in application

Work Hours

Be available to work 12-hour shifts, including nights, weekends, holidays, and assigned overtime

Website

DPPS.MSU.EDU

Summary of Physical Demands

This position requires the ability to perform a wide range of physical activities associated with law enforcement duties, including driving; standing and walking for extended periods; running; climbing; balancing; stooping; kneeling; crouching; jumping; pushing and pulling; lifting and carrying; grasping; reaching; and repetitive motions. Officers must be able to communicate effectively and possess the ability to see, hear, and respond appropriately in varied environments.

Officers may be required to engage in physically and mentally demanding activities, including defensive tactics, handcuffing, wrestling, and other use-of-force techniques. Extreme physical and mental exertion may be required depending on the circumstances, nature of the call for service, and critical incident response.

Summary of Health Risks

This position involves exposure to occupational hazards and health risks inherent to law enforcement work. These may include, but are not limited to, exposure to physical injury, communicable diseases, bloodborne pathogens, hazardous materials, environmental conditions, and stressful or traumatic incidents.

Officers may experience physical and mental stress related to shift work, critical incident response, emergency situations, and interactions with individuals in crisis. The position may also involve exposure to extreme weather conditions, loud noises, and physically demanding situations.

The Department mitigates these risks through comprehensive training, established safety protocols, appropriate protective equipment, medical screening, and ongoing support resources, including a trained Peer Support Team and the University’s Employee Assistance Program.

Bidding eligibility ends January 13, 2026, 11:55 PM

About Michigan State University

Spartans work every day to advance the common good in uncommon ways.Together, we tackle some of the world?s toughest problems to find solutions that make life better?from alternative energy to better food safety to breakthrough medical and environmental applications achieved through rare isotope research.We teach. We explore and we discover. We collaborate and lead. We innovate, inspire, and empower. We achieve our potential and create circumstances that help our students and others achieve theirs.We're good at it, and we've been at it for more than 150 years.The nation?s pioneer land-grant university, MSU began as a bold experiment that democratized higher education and helped bring science and innovation into everyday life. The revolutionary concept became a model for the nation.Today, MSU is one of the top research universities in the world?on one of the biggest, greenest campuses in the nation. Home to nationally ranked and recognized academic, residential college, and service-learning programs, we?re a diverse community of dedicated students and scholars, athletes and artists, scientists and leaders.In ways both practical and profound, we work to create a stronger, more sustainable, and more hopeful future for all.

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