MDOC Celebrates Graduation of Largest Northern Michigan Recruit Academy Class since 2016

LANSING, Mich - The Michigan Department of Corrections celebrated a new class of graduates from the Northern Region Officer Recruit Training Academy yesterday in Sault Ste. Marie.

The Northern Region John Davids Recruit Academy Class graduation took place on Nov. 20 at Lake Superior State University and recognized 48 new officers. The class is the largest northern region academy to graduate since 2016. New officers will help to reduce vacancies at facilities across the Upper Peninsula.

"The department enthusiastically welcomes this new class of recruits and celebrates their completion of the academy," said MDOC Director Heidi E. Washington. "This class is particularly special as it is almost double the size of the previous academy, showing that more people are seeing the benefits of a career in corrections."

The academy class started their 8-week intensive training in September. During the academy students receive significant hands-on training focused on physical drills, search procedures, CPR and first-aid, de-escalation techniques, and other skills required to be a qualified corrections officer.

The department is currently recruiting for the next Northern Region training academy which will being on January 6, 2025. A recruitment event for the Chippewa (URF) and Kinross (KCF) Correctional Facilities will be held at the Northern Michigan Training Center at 16708 South Avon Street, Kincheloe, Michigan, 49788 on Nov. 26 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Both facilities are hiring corrections officers, food service staff, mental health and health care staff.

New recruits will earn a minimum starting pay of $22.77 per hour on their first day of class, and will be eligible to make $68,500 per year, before overtime, in three and a half years. In addition, they will have the added value of state benefits such as health and dental care, retirement, and discounts for higher education.

Information on upcoming recruitment events, as well as information on minimum eligibility requirements, salary, and benefits, can be found at www.michigan.gov/mdocjobs