KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MI – Multiple police agencies in Kalamazoo County are paying five-figure bonuses to recruit police officers.
The Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety is now offering a $15,000 bonus for police or firefighters transferring into the department who have experience.
Meanwhile, the Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Office is offering a $10,000 bonus to newly-hired deputies with money from the American Rescue Plan Act. They have $385,000 to spend on deputy recruitment bonuses, Kalamazoo County Sheriff Chief Deputy Michelle Greenlee said.
“We want to appeal to even people that are currently officers, maybe working someplace else, entice them to come work for us because we also noticed that other agencies are doing this,” Greenlee said.
The county is short 20 road patrol officers, so officials hope the bonuses can help to fill those positions. Other openings include corrections officer positions at the jail and civilian jobs.
For the city police bonus, KDPS is giving $10,000 to people hired, with $5,000 once one year of probation is complete. The program is open for full or part time certified officers in Michigan, firefighters level one or two with medical first responder licensing and out-of-state officers who can complete the reciprocal program training.
The hiring for transfers to KDPS is a continuous program, while the hiring for new officers is set for certain times throughout the year.
The county sheriff’s office has two versions of the bonus program. Officers...
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