Police Officer

Police Officer

The following job posting will remain open until Wednesday, July 8, 2026.

Police Officer (Full-time)

2026 Pay Scale Range:

Start: $62,128

One year experience: $70,279

Two-year experience: $78,943

Three-year experience: $87,606

Four-year experience: $99,156

Canton Township is offering a lateral compensation program based on full-time experience.

Overview of Benefits:

• Starting base pay $62,128
• MERS Defined Benefit Pension
• Multiplier – 2.5% of base wage
• Retirement Eligibility – Age 53/25 years of service
• Sick Leave
• Paid Time Off
• Holiday Pay
• Medical (BCN), Dental, Prescription, and Vision Insurance provided
• Life Insurance
• Short/Long Term Disability
• 12-hour shifts
• Three-day weekend off every other week
• Facial hair permitted and updated tattoo policy

Canton Township is a reciprocal unit as defined in the Reciprocal Retirement Act, Act 88 of 1961.

Police Officer - Job Description

Description of Duties: This is general police work in the protection of life and property and the enforcement of criminal and traffic laws and local ordinances. An employee in this class is responsible for the protection of life and property; prevention of crime; apprehension of criminals; and the general enforcement of laws and ordinances in a designated area on an assigned shift. The employee may be assigned to special details and to a training capacity.

The employee must be able to independently exercise quick but sound judgment in applying appropriate police methods in emergency situations. As the employee acquires experience on the job, they will be granted additional responsibility. Work is supervised by a superior officer through personal inspection, review of reports, and through general appraisal of the effectiveness of the police service.

Examples of Work: (Note: These examples are intended merely as illustrations of the various types of work performed in positions allocated to this classification and do not include all of the duties an employee in this class may be required to perform.)

• Patrols a designated area of the Township to preserve law and order, to prevent/discover the commission of crime, and to enforce motor vehicle operation and parking regulations.
• Answers calls and complaints involving automobile accidents, robberies, and other misdemeanors and felonies.
• At scene of an accident, crime, or fire administers first aid; conducts preliminary investigations; gathers evidence; obtains witnesses; and may make arrests and take prisoners to jail.
• Responds to calls at addresses of commercial, residential, and adjoining areas.
• At central police desk, interviews persons with complaints and inquiries, and attempts to make the proper disposition or directs them to proper authorities.
• Furnishes escorts when required.
• Prepares evidence for issuance of complaints, testifies as a witness in court, and makes reports of all activities and disposition of cases.
• Maintains order in court; conducts prisoners to court from detention quarters; serves criminal process including warrants and departmental subpoenas.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Ability to learn the streets and physical layout of the Township and adjoining areas.
• Some knowledge of first aid methods.
• Some knowledge of modern approved principles, practices, and procedures of police work.
• Some skill in the use of firearms.
• Ability to learn and uphold relevant state laws and Township ordinances.
• Ability to satisfactorily complete required training.
• Ability to react competently, quickly, and calmly in emergency conditions.
• Ability and strength for prolonged and arduous work under adverse conditions.
• Ability to cooperate with supervisors and other employees and to accept lines of authority.
• Ability to deal with the public in a tactful and courteous manner.
• Ability and willingness to comply with the Department's Standards of Appearance policy.

Necessary Special Qualifications:

• Certified or certifiable as a Michigan Police Officer or currently enrolled in a recognized Police Academy; must have Police Officer Certification from the State of Michigan at time of hire.
• A minimum of an Associate's Degree in Law Enforcement or related field
• Must possess a current, valid Michigan Driver's License with a driving history that does not create liability concerns; i.e. convictions of reckless driving, careless driving, suspended license, or convictions involving drinking and impaired driving.
• Successful completion of the MCOLES Reading and Writing Skills Examination.
• Applicants must have successfully completed MCOLES Physical Fitness Test within the past twelve months at time of interview.

Physical Demands:

Reasonable Accommodations: Canton Township provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact the ADA Coordinator at View phone number on click.appcast.io. We encourage all interested qualified applicants to apply for open positions. Requests for accommodations will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Physical Demands Lift/Carry

• Stand- Frequently - Less than 10 lbs- Frequently
• Walk- Frequently - 10 - 29 lbs- Occasionally
• Sit- Occasionally - 30 - 59 lbs- Rarely
• Use of Hands/Fingers- Frequently - 60 - 100 lbs- Rarely
• Reach- Occasionally Push/Pull
• Climb- Rarely - Less than 10 lbs- Frequently
• Crawl- Rarely - 10 - 29 lbs- Occasionally
• Squat or Kneel- Rarely - 30 - 59 lbs- Rarely
• Bend- Occasionally - 60 - 100 lbs- Rarely

Job Description Updated: November 10, 2015

Hiring Process Police Officer

Canton Township is currently accepting applications for the Police Officer position. In addition to filling the budgeted vacancy, an employment eligibility may also be created to fill any additional vacancies that may arise in the next twelve months.

Contingent on passing the oral interview, candidates must also meet the following testing requirements to remain in consideration for the Police Officer position.

EMPCO Law Enforcement Testing System - National Criminal Justice Officer Selection Inventory - I

Applicants that have completed one-year continuous full-time service as a licensed Police Officer are exempt from the EMPCO Law Enforcement Testing Requirement.

1. If selected for the contingent offer, candidates must provide proof that they have successfully completed the EMPCO Law Enforcement Testing System within the past 12 months.
2. Candidates will have up to 45 days after the interview to complete this requirement.
3. Candidates that have a current EMPCO Test (dated within the past 12 months at the time of application) will be considered to meet this requirement.

MCOLES Physical Fitness Test

1. If selected for contingent offer candidates must provide proof that they have successfully completed the MCOLES Physical Fitness Test within the past 12 months.
2. Candidates will have up to 45 days after the interview to complete this requirement.
3. Candidates that have a current fitness test certificate (dated within the past 12 months at the time of application) will be considered to meet this requirement.