FLINT, Michigan — A week after launching its “Flint born. Flint proud” campaign, the City of Flint received an astounding 200-plus applications from those interested in becoming a Flint police officer.
The applications remain open for already certified officers looking to join the team at the City of Flint. New recruits also can continue to apply and will be considered for the spring police academy. Apply at www.CityofFlint.com/JOBS.
Recruiting and hiring to fill vacant positions in the Flint Police Department was a part of Mayor Sheldon Neeley’s three-point plan to fight crime announced on July 21, 2020.
“This administration remains wholly committed to supporting the men and women who protect and serve this community,” Mayor Neeley said. “I am proud that since coming into office we have settled two police contracts, secured additional dollars to increase starting salary pay, and pushed to get these long-vacant positions filled. These concrete actions are investments in the betterment of the Flint Police Department and our entire community.”
Flint Police Chief Phil Hart himself started his career in law enforcement at the Flint Police Academy. A Flint resident and a 30-year police veteran, he said it has been years since the department has seen so many recruits. There were 54 in 2019, 22 in 2018, and 9 in 2017.
“We will continue to keep these positions posted until all of our vacant positions are filled, and we are finally fully staffed and serving the community to the best of our ability,” Chief Hart said.
The City of Flint has at least 14 vacant positions and up to 9 of them will be filled with this fall’s new recruits.
The City is actively promoting these job opportunities to local residents through a series of advertisements built around “Flint born. Flint proud.” The ads all feature members of the Flint Police Department who were born and raised in the City of Flint. It includes representation from throughout the Police Department including high ranking officers and members of the Detective Bureau as well as patrol officers.
A Flint Police officer can earn up to $29.50 per hour plus overtime. Plus they have the opportunity to advance their career and increase their pay scale by joining the command staff. All police officers are also provided a full benefits package including annual step-pay increases for eight years, health insurance, vacation time, and retirement planning.
For new recruits, the City of Flint covers tuition and fees for their enrollment in the police academy at Mott Community College, where they will earn their police certification. They will be paid a salary for the four months they are enrolled in the academy and guaranteed a job with the Flint Police Department upon graduation, where they also will receive additional training.
The new recruitment effort is part of a three-point plan to help combat crime. It also includes formation of a new Special Investigative Unit and the planned launch of a gun buyback program. In June, Mayor Neeley also launched renewed partnerships with area agencies including the Michigan State Police, University of Michigan-Flint Public Safety, and Mott Community College Police to step up patrols in the community.
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