Lake Michigan College is moving the start date of its next Police Academy session to the spring. The Academy, which is held on the College’s Benton Harbor campus, will begin March 16, 2026, after being held during the summer the previous two years.
“Our advisory committee, which is made up of local law enforcement professionals, told us that holding the training earlier in the year would be a better fit. We are responding by moving up the start date of the academy to help our local municipalities better serve the public safety needs of their communities,” stated Brad Byerle, director of the LMC Police Academy.
Through the LMC Police Academy, recruits complete a rigorous 16-week program to master an extensive range of skills- and knowledge-based topics including emergency vehicle operation, firearms, patrol operations, active shooter response, field sobriety testing, and crime scene investigation. Candidates also focus on physical fitness, first aid, and the legal system.
Upon completion of the Academy, graduates sit for the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES) licensing exam, which is required of all law enforcement officers in Michigan.
Recruits typically enter the program sponsored by a local law enforcement agency. Municipalities receive grant funding through the State of Michigan MCOLES Public Safety Academy Assistance Program to cover a portion of the cost of tuition and the recruits’ hourly salary during training.
Since reinstating the program in 2024, the LMC Police Academy has graduated 27 new law enforcement officers to meet the growing demand for trained public safety professionals. From 2024 to 2029, an estimated 130 retirements are expected in Berrien County alone.
“By offering a police academy in Southwest Michigan, we can attract and retain law enforcement officers who want to live and work in the region. It’s local training for local jobs, which is good for our region,” stated Byerle.
Those interested in learning more or participating in future sessions should contact Brad Byerle, LMC Police Academy director at bbyerle@lakemichigancollege.
