MCOLES - Employment Standards for Michigan Law Enforcement Officers

Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards
7426 N. Canal Road
Lansing, MI 48913

Category	Standard	Comments
Age	Not less than 18 years.	No maximum age
Citizenship	United States Citizenship.
Education	High school diploma or GED is the minimum for an employed recruit. Pre-service recruits must have a minimum of an associate's degree upon completion of the basic training academy.	A college degree from an accredited institution is evidence of complying with the minimum standard.
Felony Convictions	No prior felony convictions.	Includes expunged convictions.
Good Moral Character	Possess good moral character as determined by a favorable comprehensive background investigation covering school and employment records, home environment, and personal traits and integrity.	Includes arrest and expunged convictions, all previous law violations and personal protection orders.
Driver's License	Possess a valid operators or chauffeur's license.	May not be in a state of suspension or revocation.
Disorders, Diseases or Defects	Be free from any physical defects, chronic diseases, or mental and emotional instabilities which may impair the performance of a law enforcement officer or which might endanger the lives of others or the law enforcement officer.	This includes, but is not limited to, diseases such as diabetes, seizures and narcolepsy. Each case shall be investigated to determine its extent and effect on job performance. The evaluation should include the expert opinion of a licensed physician specializing in occupational medicine.* See below for mental and emotional instability standard.
Hearing	Initial unaided testing involves pure tone air conduction thresholds for each ear, as shown on the pure tone audiogram, shall not exceed a hearing level of 25 decibels at any of the following frequencies: 500, 1000, 2000, 3000; and 45 decibels at 4000 Hertz.	Initial testing may be performed by a certified hearing conservationist, a licensed hearing aid specialist or a licensed audiologist. See Note for individuals requiring additional unaided or aided testing requirements by a licensed audiologist. *
Height/Weight	Height and weight in relation to each other as indicated by achieving an acceptable score on the body mass index (BMI) as approved by the commission.	A licensed physician shall make this determination. A Body Mass Index (BMI) of 35 or more will require further medical evaluation. For more information contact the Standards Compliance Section at (517) 322-6525
Mental/ Emotional Disorders	Be free from mental or emotional instabilities which may impair the performance of the essential job functions of a law enforcement officer or which might endanger the lives of others or the law enforcement officer.	Mental and emotional stability may be assessed by a licensed physician, or a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist. MCOLES may require the examination be conducted by a license psychologist or psychiatrist. **
Physical Integrity	Be free from any impediment of the senses, physically sound and in possession of extremities, and well developed physically.	A medical examination shall be conducted by a licensed physician to assess compliance with the standard. Discrepancies shall be evaluated for the ability of the applicant to perform essential job functions. **
Vision, Color	Possess normal color vision without the assistance of color enhancing lenses.	The unaided eye shall be tested using pseudoisochromatic plates. The Farnsworth Dichotomous D-15 panels shall be used for any candidate who fails the pseudoisochromatic plates.
Vision, Corrected	Possess 20/20 corrected vision in each eye.	No uncorrected standard
Vision, Normal Functions	Possess normal visual functions in each eye.	Includes peripheral vision, depth perception, etc.
Reading and Writing	Pass the MCOLES reading and writing examination or an approved agency equivalent examination.	Does not apply to Recognition Prior Training & Experience Program Students
Physical Fitness	Pass the MCOLES physical fitness pre-enrollment examination. This does not apply to Recognition of Prior Training & Experience Program students.	Pre-enrollment testing is required for admittance to an approved training program, however this standard is fulfilled only upon successful completion of physical fitness training.
Police Training	Successfully complete the MCOLES mandatory basic training curriculum.	This may be done by completing successfully, an approved college preservice program or a basic training academy. Candidates seeking reciprocity from other states may apply for the Recognition of Prior Training and Experience Program.
Licensing Examination	Pass the MCOLES licensing examination upon the completion of basic training.	For reciprocity candidates, successfully complete the Recognition of Prior Training and Experience Program and licensing examination.
Fingerprinting	Fingerprint the applicant with a search of state or federal fingerprint files to disclose criminal record.	Includes expunged convictions.
Oral Interview	Conduct an oral interview to determine the applicant's acceptability for a law enforcement officer position and to assess appearance, background and the ability to communicate.
Drug Testing	Cause the applicant to be tested for the illicit use of controlled substances	Must use a Commission certified laboratory and comply with Commission procedures.