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Recruitment
Are you interested in pursuing a career that offers meaningful work, a chance to make a difference in your community and the excitement of responding to a broad range of unique and challenging experiences? The Portage Department of Public Safety - Police Division is looking for you!
Find a Place to be More! It's Here. It's PORTAGE.
Make the move to Portage!
$15,000 Sign-on Bonus for New Lateral Transfers!
Lateral Transfer Program
The Portage Department of Public Safety (PDPS) Lateral Transfer Program affords certified Police Officers the opportunity to join the Portage Department of Public Safety – Police Division. Officers who have excelled in their law enforcement careers and are up to the task of meeting the high standards of the PDPS can apply now!
Candidates with prior full-time police experience will be hired in at an advance pay step based on prior years of service up to Step F of the current Portage Police Officer’s Association collective bargaining agreement. Step F is currently $80,852 annually (effective July 1, 2023) and $84,491 annually (effective July 1, 2024).
The Portage Department of Public Safety will offer lateral transfers to MCOLES certified officers who are:
- currently employed full-time as a police officer within the State of Michigan;
- a separated officer within the last year from full-time service from a police department within the State of Michigan (subject to successful re-licensure by MCOLES); or
- an out-of-state officer currently employed full-time as a police officer and who qualifies to reciprocal licensure as defined by MCOLES.
Lateral candidates must be at least 21 years old, a U.S. citizen, possess an associate’s degree, and have no felony convictions, including expunged convictions. Successful candidates must obtain a valid Michigan driver license upon hire. Successful candidates must also complete all required tests and evaluations.
Are you ready to make the move to Portage? APPLY NOW!
For questions, please contact Lieutenant Matt Wolfe at (269) 329-4574 or wolfem@portagmi.gov or Sergeant Micheal Collier at (269) 329-4530 or collierm@portagemi.gov.
Incentives
The Portage Department of Public Safety is a progressive and community-oriented team of law enforcement professions. We are seeking quality individuals who are looking for long-term employment in a rewarding field.
The City of Portage offers the top patrol base salary in Southwest Michigan amongst comparable ($80,852 annually, effective July 1, 2023 and $40.63 per hour/$84,491 annually, effective July 1, 2024). This is in addition to a phenomenal benefits package and other incentives, including:
- 403b Money Purchase Pension Plan with generous city contribution (14%)
- Retention incentive that provides a 5% annual contribution to the Pension Plan, bringing the total contribution to 19% without any employee contribution
- 457b Deferred Compensation Plan
- City provided Short Term Disability
- Competitive longevity pay (up to $3,000 per year)
- Retiree and spousal health insurance
- Comprehensive health and dental plan including HSA option
- College incentive pay
- Shift differential pay
- 1.5% of base pay clothing allowance for non-uniformed personnel
- Generous vacation accruals
- Flexible Holiday Time
- Health & Wellness Program with on-site gym
- Stipends for specialty assignments
- City provided cleaning of uniforms and equipment
Opportunities
- Detective Bureau
- Command Staff
- Kalamazoo Metro SWAT
- School Resource Officer Program
- Community Policing Program
- Hostage Negotiator Team
- Portage Narcotics Team
- State Police Drug Task Force
- K9 Team
- Field Training Officer Program
- Crime Scene Technician Team
- Accident Reconstructionist Team
- D.A.R.T. Enforcement Program
- Geolitica Predictive Policing Program
- Bike Patrol / ATV Patrol Team
- Crisis Response Team
- Drone Team
- Departmental Instructor Cadre
Are you ready to make the move to Portage? APPLY NOW!
The City of Portage, Michigan is rich with opportunities – a family-oriented city of about 50,000 people with a high quality of life, a strong economy, and outstanding educational choices for lifelong learning. Portage Public Schools offers a high-quality education to Portage students. Portage has bountiful natural resources, including seven lakes, state game areas, significant open spaces, and wetlands. The community provides 18 parks, including four dedicated to nature preservation, and more than 57 miles of bikeways and multi-use trails, making the City of Portage A Natural Place to Move. Portage combines the convenience of an urban lifestyle with that of a close-knit, friendly community.
Approximately mid-way between Chicago and Detroit along Interstate 94, Portage is within 300 miles of Cleveland, Indianapolis, and Milwaukee and 50 miles from Grand Rapids and South Bend.