Road Patrol Deputy - Paid Recruit

Ottawa County is seeking qualified candidates interested in pursuing sponsorship to Grand Valley State University's 2025 Fall Police Academy (August 25 - December 18, 2025). Interested candidates should submit their application by Monday, January 27.  Military applicants are encouraged to apply.

Selection Process

Candidates will submit a formal application on the County’s job board, indicating they are seeking sponsorship.  The recruit will participate in a minimum of one panel interview with Sheriff’s Office Administration, complete a thorough background investigation including a psychological evaluation and medical, and agree to complete all necessary pre-requisite requirements prior to beginning the academy. The recruit will be given an offer of employment at the conclusion of this process for a Non-Sworn Recruit.

Pay and Benefits

This non-sworn Recruit position is a part of the Group T bargaining agreement, paygrade 8.  The payrate for that paygrade/step is $26.74/hr. The recruit will be eligible for benefits upon the start of the police academy. The candidate will be paid for all hours worked while attending the academy, with hours in excess of 40 going towards their comp time bank.

Upon completion of the police academy and passing score on the MCOLES licensing exam, the recruit will be promoted to full-time Road Patrol Deputy, part of the Police Officers Labor Council (POLC 312) union. They will start at Step A of the Road Patrol Paygrade, $32.76/hr. They will then begin the Field Training Program (FTO).

Logistics

Ottawa County will pay GVSU directly for the Recruit’s Academy, including tuition, uniform, and student fees.  The Recruit must remain in good academic standing at all times.  Recruits will follow the chain of command set forth by GVSU’s police academy regarding time off requests, appointments, emergencies, etc. during the course of the academy. Any issues that arise during the course of the police academy in regard to the recruit will be brought to the Undersheriff’s attention by the Director of the Police Academy.

The recruit agrees to remain in the County’s employment for four years upon successful completion of the police academy.  Should the employee leave employment for any reason prior to four years, voluntary or involuntary, the recruit shall repay the County a proportionate share of the total cost of the academy.

Once promoted to a full-time Road Patrol Deputy, the essential functions of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Patrols an assigned area of the county in motorized equipment to generally preserve law and order and prevent and discover the commission of crime.
• Enforces traffic regulations and issues tickets.
• Investigates suspicious conditions and possible law violations.
• Makes arrests for violations of laws, escorts suspects to various locations, advises suspects of their rights, and incarcerates suspects on charges.
• Escorts prisoners to court, testifies in court proceedings, and otherwise assists in prosecution.
• At scene of an accident administers emergency assistance, directs and controls traffic, conducts investigation, gathers evidence, interviews witnesses, makes arrests, and prepares a detailed report.
• Records and takes appropriate follow-up action on citizen calls and complaints.
• Provides assistance and information to the public.
• Watches for and investigates wanted and missing persons and stolen property.
• Serves civil and criminal process, including warrants and subpoenas.

Possession of a high school diploma or GED.  College degree preferred.  

The qualified candidate will have the following knowledge and skills: 

• Ability to swiftly learn law enforcement methods, practices and procedures.
• Ability to gain a good working knowledge of applicable federal, state and local laws and to attain efficiency in the methods and practices of criminal investigation.
• Ability to carry out instructions and swiftly adopt an effective and sound course of action. Ability to deal fairly and effectively with the public.
• Good powers of observation, sound judgment, and good moral character.
• Excellent physical and mental condition, courage, strength, agility, and ability to withstand stress.
• Proficiency in the use of firearms.
• Ability to pass rigid physical examination and thorough background investigation.
• Must possess excellent verbal communication skills and be capable of adapting to potentially violent or unstable situations.

Physical Requirements:

Must be able to perform the following essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodations, including, but not limited to, visual and/or audiological appliances and devices to increase mobility.

• Physical strength, agility and stamina.
• Frequent standing and walking while performing enforcement or other duties.
• Sitting for long periods of time.
• Strength and dexterity of a degree to restrain suspects when necessary and carry victims in emergency situations.
• Good speaking and hearing skills for monitoring purposes and giving instructions and exchanging information with suspects, the public, and others.
• Sensory skills intact to be able to detect, smoke, fire, and fumes.
• Sensory skills to be able to detect pulses, use medical or other delicate equipment.
• Manual dexterity and sensory skills to be able to operate/use motor vehicles, weapons, instruments, and other equipment.
• Adequate visual acuity with corrected vision in each eye, with adequate color and depth perception and peripheral vision.
• Frequent bending and stooping while moving, lifting, pushing, etc. of victims, stretchers, and equipment.
• Climbing stairs, banks, hills, uneven terrain while performing duties. Moving frequently in and out of patrol vehicles.
• Frequent reaching and turning in operating motor vehicle and ability to use radio and attendant equipment in vehicle.

Salary : $27 - $35