Grand Rapids

Community College

Sheriff’s Corrections Academy

Pre-Service Candidate Application

Winter 2018

Name: __________________________________ Date: ____________________

Due by: December 15, 2017 no later than 3:00 p.m. at

White Hall, 435 E. Fulton St., Grand Rapids, MI

Criminal Justice office located in the basement of White Hall

Any Questions?

Please call (616) 234-4280 or email us at criminaljustice@grcc.edu

Instructions for Winter 2018 Sheriff’s Corrections Academy Application

READ THIS ENTIRE DOCUMENT BEFORE PROCEEDING WITH THE APPLICATION

PROCESS.

It is the applicant’s responsibility to completely and thoroughly fill out the enclosed

application packet. This packet is due by December 15, 2017 no later than 3:00 p.m. Put your

name on the outside of the packet and submit this application to the Criminal Justice office:

DeVos Campus, White Hall, 435 Fulton Street NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 ---

Do not put the application in any folder, book or three ring binder; we only want the

application papers clipped. Do NOT mail your application.

There are specific instructions for the completion of each form. All applications must have

all of the required information accurately and completely filled out. No partial applications

will be accepted. Any applications turned in incomplete and not in accordance with the

relevant instructions will not be reviewed.

All information must be accurate and complete. Any falsification of information, including

failure to submit information, will result in your elimination from the Sheriff’s Corrections

Academy process and potential sanctions by the Michigan Sheriff’s Coordinating and

Training Council.

*** Read all forms and instructions prior to completion. If the form instructs you to print-

use black ink only.

No late or incomplete applications will be accepted.

Winter 2018 GRCC Sheriff’s Corrections Academy

Pre-Service Application Timeline

Application Open & Available at: www.grcc.edu/criminaljustice/sheriffscorrectionsacademy

November 17, 2017

Applications due – CJ Office December 15, 2017 – due by 3:00 p.m.

Schedule Oral Interviews January 8, 2018

Oral Interviews January 22 – January 26, 2018

Conditional Offers January 29, 2018

Uniforms Ordered (Pre-Service candidates only) February 12, 2018

Medical Paperwork February 19, 2018 – due by 3:00 p.m.

Mandatory Corrections Academy Start up March 2, 2018

Academy Classes Begins March 12, 2018

For additional Information contact

Rachel Crapo at rcrapo@grcc.edu

MSCTC HIRING STANDARDS FOR MICHIGAN

LOCAL CORRECTIONS OFFICERS

Adopted January 11, 2007

The chart below outlines the selection and employment standards published by the Michigan Sheriff's Coordinating and Training Council (MSCTC). By law, no person shall be employed as a corrections officer unless they fully comply with these standards. Agencies may set standards higher than these; however, the burden is upon the agency to defend the job relatedness of the higher standard.

Agencies must screen all candidates considered for hiring for compliance with all standards. This includes both pre-service and agency employed candidates.

The selection and employment standards published under the authority of Public Act 125,

section 8 of 2003.

Category Standard

Age Not less than 18 years, maximum age.

Citizenship United States Citizenship.

Education High school diploma or equivalency.

Driver’s License Possess a valid operator’s license.

Oral Interview Conduct an oral interview to determine the

applicant’s acceptability for a corrections officer

position.

Good Moral Character Possess good moral character as determined by a

favorable comprehensive background investigation

covering school and employment records, home

environment, and personal traits and integrity.

Consideration will be given to all criminal and civil

law violations as indicating a lack of good character.

Finger Printing Fingerprint the applicant with a search of state and

federal fingerprint files to disclose criminal record.

Drug Testing Cause the applicant to be tested for the use of illegal

controlled substances. Note: Testing for controlled substances will be completed after a conditional officer of employment. (ADA

Requirement)

Note: Counties may require additional standards for hiring, above and beyond those required by MSCTC.

MICHIGAN LOCAL CORRECTIONS

OFFICER EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

ACT 125 OF 2003 SECTION 791.543

Not less than 18 years of age

United States Citizen

High School Diploma or GED

Meets the standards and requirements set by the Michigan Sheriffs' Coordinating

and Training Council (www.sherifftrainingcouncil.org)

o No prior felony convictions (includes expunged convictions)

Grand Rapids Community College Criminal Justice Training Center Application

Requirements:

Good moral character as determined by a favorable, comprehensive background

investigation covering criminal, school and employment records, home

environment, and personality traits and integrity. Consideration will be given to

all law violations, including traffic, as well as financial history.

Be free from any physical defects or diseases which may tend to impair the

efficient performance of a correctional officer, or might endanger the lives of

others.

Be free from mental or emotional instabilities which may tend to impair the

efficient performance of a correctional officer, or might endanger the lives

of others.

Application Instructions

Candidates Information Sheet and Release of Information

Candidates Personal History Statement and Affidavit

Read this form carefully, if in doubt, disclose.

This form must be thoroughly and accurately completed. Failure to disclose information on this

form may result in a determination of fraud, which could result in your removal from the

academy process and sanctions from the Michigan Sheriff’s Coordinating and Training

Council.

Make sure you completely read the cover sheet.

Attach an addendum if needed for additional space or to explain the answer.

You MUST sign this form.

DO NOT NOTARIZE. - It will be notarized at a later time.

If the questions do not pertain to you – respond with NA

Attachment Information Pre-Employment Test Scores

EMPCO Reading and Writing results: You must take a reading comprehension

examination. This examination is taken online at a designated test center and the results

are provided to you in about 72 hours. Evidence that you have taken the exam must be

provided when you turn in your application. Go to http://www.empco.net/msctc/reg to

register at a test site for the EMPCO Corrections Test. Successful completion of this test is

mandatory for admittance into the academy.

LCOPAT Physical Abilities Test: Attach a copy of your test results.

Successful completion of this test is mandatory for admittance into the academy.

Photocopy of Current Driver’s License

You must submit a copy of your current State of Michigan Driver’s License.

Certified Copy of Driving Record

You must purchase your own certified driving record at any Secretary of State office. The

records will be given to you immediately.

If you receive any enforcement action after the record is obtained, you must inform the

Director of the Academy in writing.

Letters of Recommendation

You must submit two letters of personal or professional reference/recommendation with your

application. The two letters should be from non-GRCC Criminal Justice Department faculty or

staff. GRCC Criminal Justice personnel will provide information as part of your background

investigation.

Submit the letters of recommendation with your application packet.

These letters will remain in your permanent file, which will be accessible to all police agencies

interested in hiring you in the future.

Letters of recommendation should be addressed to:

Corrections Coordinator

143 Bostwick, N.E.

Grand Rapids, MI 49503 Criminal Background Check-ICHAT

Criminal Background Check (submit ICHAT) In addition to the background information

contained in your personal history statement, you must also do a criminal background

investigation through the Michigan State Police ICHAT system. Go to

www.michigan.gov/ichat. Follow the directions, print and include the results with your

packet. The results should be displayed immediately. IMPORTANT: If the results from

ICHAT do not return all of the information you think it should, you still must report it on

your Personal History Statement.

Police Reports

You must provide copies of any police reports where you were named as a criminal

suspect, victim or witness. This includes all misdemeanor offenses regardless of whether

there was a conviction. This does not include reports where you were acting on behalf of a

corrections agency, i.e. corrections employee or non-criminal offenses and traffic citations. You do

not need to submit accident reports unless it was criminal in nature.

Autobiography

The autobiography must be no longer than two pages, double spaced, one inch margins,

Times New Roman, 12-point font.

Refer to the enclosed instructions on how to write an autobiography.

Copy of Official College Transcript OR Unofficial

If you are applying and already have an Associate’s degree or higher from an accredited

institution, you must submit an official transcript unopened, with the packet or have one

mailed to GRCC:

143 Bostwick, N.E.

Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503

Attention: Corrections Coordinator - White Hall

High School Transcript – Mailed to Jermaine Reese

Military Service-DD214-long form required-If you have served in any branch of the

military and have received a discharge, you must submit a copy of your DD214 long

form along with a photocopy of the original.

Proof of citizenship – You must submit proof of your United States citizenship with your

application.

Government issued birth certificate (OR)

Certificate of citizenship

***Do NOT print application on double sides. Only single sided applications will be accepted.

***It is highly recommended that you make a complete copy of your completed application for

your records before turning the application in to the GRCC Sheriff’s Corrections Academy. No

applications will be returned. ***Medical forms including hearing/vision & physicals will be given out with conditional offers to

the Sheriff’s Corrections Academy if you are selected into the Academy.

Instructions for Autobiography

All applicants are required to write a two-page autobiography that is a written history of your life and

a statement of why you want to be a member of the corrections profession. Information in the

autobiography should include, but not be limited to:

A brief history of your family

An overview of your personality

Any significant life events that will apply directly or indirectly to the field of corrections

Your work/employment/volunteer experiences

Your educational experiences

Any information that you feel will provide the reader with a greater understanding of you as a

person and your abilities to be a corrections officer

Attach the typed autobiography in New Roman, 12-point font and double spaced. This autobiography

will be a permanent component in your sheriff’s corrections academy file. This will be available to all

sheriff’s departments making inquires into your qualifications for employment.

Below are ten Do’s and Don’ts to assist you in writing a compelling, focused essay.

The Do’s

1. Unite your essay and give it direction with a theme or thesis. The thesis is the main point you

want to communicate.

2. Before you begin writing, choose what you want to discuss and the order in which you

want to discuss it.

3. Use concrete examples from your life experience to support your thesis and distinguish yourself

from other applicants.

4. Write about what interests you or excites you.

5. End your essay with a conclusion that refers back to the lead and restates your thesis.

6. Revise your essay at least three times.

7. In addition to your editing, ask someone else to critique your personal statement.

8. Proof your personal statement.

9. Write clearly and concisely.

10. Proof read, proof read and proof read!

The Don’ts

1. Don’t include information that doesn’t support your thesis.

2. Don’t start your essay with “I was born in…” or “My parents came from...”

3. Don’t write an autobiography, itinerary, or resume in prose.

4. Don’t try to be a clown (but gentle humor is OK).

5. Don’t be afraid to start over if the essay just isn’t working or doesn’t answer the essay question.

6. Don’t try to impress the reader with your vocabulary.

7. Don’t rely exclusively on your computer to check your spelling.

8. Don’t provide a collection of generic statements and platitudes.

9. Don’t give weak excuses for your GPA or test scores.

10. Don’t make things up.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE TRAINING CENTER Waiver Disclaimer Exemption SHERIFF’S CORRECTIONS ACADEMY TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: This is to certify I, ______________________________________exempt the Grand Rapids Community

College Criminal Justice Training Center, the instructors, the contractors, fellow students, the

Corrections Academy and the Michigan Sheriff’s Coordinating and Training Council (MSCTC) from

any liability during my training in the Corrections Academy as a Pre-Service candidate.

________________________________________

Signature

_______________________________________

Address

_______________________________________

On this ________________________________ day of ________________, 20______________

Before me personally appeared __________________________________, to me known to be the

person who executed the foregoing instrument.

_______________________________________

Witness

GRCC SHERIFF’S CORRECTIONS ACADEMY

APPLICANT INFORMATION SHEET AND AUTHORIZATION FOR RELEASE OF INFORMATION

Type or print only:

Last Name: First Name: Middle: Suffix (Jr, Sr, Ill):

Social Security #: Date of Birth: Gender: Race:

Residence Address (Street, City, State, Zip): Phone No: Highest Degree:

Driver’s License #: Issuing State: E-Mail:

Authorization for release of information:

I hereby authorize any individual, agency, or organization to furnish Grand Rapids Community College Criminal

Justice Training Center and its representatives and/or agents any and all information pertaining to my

background and ability to comply with the standards for selection, employment, and training as a corrections

officer. Such information includes, but is not necessarily limited to: employment, criminal, academic, military,

and personal histories; academic, attendance, and driving records; and medical records (includes

medical/emotional, including diagnosis and prognosis, if any).

I hereby authorize any individual, agency, or organization to release such information upon request. This

authorization is executed with the full knowledge and understanding that the information is for official use by

Grand Rapids Community College and the Criminal Justice Training Center.

I hereby release any individual, agency, or organization, including its officers, employees, and related personnel,

both individually and collectively, from any and all damages of whatever kind, which may at any time result me,

my heirs, family, or associates because of compliance with this Authorization for Release of Information, or any

attempt to comply with it.

This Authorization shall continue in effect until revoked by me in writing. A photo static copy of this

Authorization shall have the same force as the original.

Signature: Today's Date:

*This information is confidential. Confidential information is protected by the Federal Privacy Act.

**This information is for the purposes of criminal record checks only.

GRCC SHERIFF’S CORRECTIONS ACADEMY

CANDIDATE'S PERSONAL HISTORY STATEMENT

Instructions to the Applicant:

The GRCC Sher i f f ’ s Corrections Academy requires that all in-service & pre-service candidates

meet the minimum employment standards (selection requirements) for corrections officers.

Candidates must meet these standards at the time of entrance into the basic program and maintain

compliance with such requirements throughout the training period.

The information you provide in this personal history statement will be used in evaluating your

background and will assist the school staff in determining your suitability for the position of

corrections officer.

Please fill out the questionnaire completely and accurately. Return the completed personal

history statement to your training program director according to his/her instructions. When

completing the personal history statement, please keep in mind that:

(1) The completion of this form is mandatory;

(2) All statements are subject to verification; and,

(3) Deliberate inaccuracies or incomplete statements may bar or remove you from the basic

training program. It is to your advantage to respond openly. Any negative factor in your background will be

evaluated in terms of the circumstances and facts surrounding its occurrence, and its degree of

relevance to the job of a corrections officer.

NOTE: Use extra sheets of paper, if necessary, to completely answer the questions on the attached pages.

PLEASE PRINT ANSWERS IN BLACK INK

GRAND RAPIDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE

SHERIFF’S CORRECTION OFFICER TRAINING ACADEMY

PRE-SERVICE APPLICATION INFORMATION

Full Name (as it appears on your driver license):

Street Address:

City, State, ZIP:

Home Phone:

Cell Phone:

Email Address:

Social Security Number:

Driver License Number: Expiration Date:

Gender:

Race:

Age:

Birthdate:

Person To Contact In Case Of Emergency:

Relationship:

Phone:

Session You Wish to Attend:

Winter 201______

Summer 201 ______

Fall 201______

GRCC Raider Card Student Number:

GRCC SHERIFF’S CORRECTIONS ACADEMY CANDIDATE'S

PERSONAL HISTORY STATEMENT

PLEASE PRINT IN INK OR TYPE YOUR RESPONSES TO THIS QUESTIONNAIRE

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Last Name First Name Middle Name

Date of Birth Age Driver's License Number

(mm/dd/yyyy):

Are vou a citizen of the United States? Yes No

*In accordance with the Federal Privacy Act of 1974, disclosure is voluntary. If necessary, the Social

Security Number will be used for identification purposes to ensure proper records are obtained.

Home Address City State Zip Code

Home Phone Number Cell Phone Number Email Address

EMPLOYMENT

Have you ever been fired or asked to resign from any place of employment? Yes No

If "Yes", please give the details (include when, where, and the circumstances):

Have you ever been an unsuccessful candidate for a job because of failure to pass a

Background check? Yes No

If "Yes", please give the details (include when, where, and the circumstances):

MILITARY SERVICE

Have you ever served in the armed forces, National Guard, or military reserves? Yes No

If "Yes", have you ever been subject of any judicial or non-judicial disciplinary

Action? Yes No

If "Yes", please give the details (include branch of service, when, where and the circumstances):

MOTOR VEHICLE OPERATION

List all traffic citations (exclude parking) you have received in your lifetime. Attach additional

pages if needed:

Approximate Date Nature of Violation Jurisdiction Where

Violation Occurred

Disposition

(Fine, Points, Other)

Do you currently have active violation points on your driver's license? Yes No

If "Yes", how many points do you have? pts.

Has your driver's license ever been suspended or revoked? Yes No

If "Yes", please provide the details (what, when, where, and why):

Have you ever been refused a driver's license by any state? Yes No

If "Yes", please provide the details (what, when, where, and why):

Do you currently have any restrictions placed on your driver's license? Yes No

If "Yes", please explain (nature of restriction and why):

Have you ever been involved, as a driver, in a motor vehicle accident? Yes No

If "Yes", please provide the following information:

Approximate Date Location Investigating Police

Agency

Indicate Injuries

FINANCIAL

Have you ever filed for or declared bankruptcy? Yes No

Have any of your bills ever been turned over to a collection agency? Yes No

Have you ever been evicted for non-payment of rent? Yes No

Have you ever had a credit card cancelled by the company for unpaid balances? Yes No

Have you ever had purchased goods repossessed? Yes No

If you answered "Yes" to any of the above questions, please give the details (when, firms/businesses

involved, and the circumstances):

LEGAL

If you have ever been the suspect of any crime (misdemeanor or felony), please provide the following information.

Include any arrests which may have been processed under a "diversion program". This includes court dispositions

under the Holmes Youthful Trainee Act. (Note: Do not include traffic offenses that are treated as civil infractions).

Attach additional pages if needed.

Approximate Date Police Agency Circumstances

(Nature of crime, dispositions,

etc.)

Have you ever had a felony conviction “expunged”? Yes No

If "Yes", please provide the details (nature of crime, county where expunged, and when):

Have you ever been placed on court probation as an adult? Yes No

If "Yes", please provide the details (when, where, why):

Were you ever required to appear before a juvenile court? Yes No

If "Yes", please provide the details (when, where, why):

Are you now or have you ever been a plaintiff or defendant in any civil court action? Yes No

If "Yes", please provide the details (when, where, why):

SCHOOL HISTORY

Have you ever been suspended or expelled from any high school or post-secondary school? (Post-

secondary schools include colleges, universities, graduate schools, businesses and

vocational schools.) Yes No

Have you ever been subject to formal discipline procedures, short of suspension or expulsion

from school for unacceptable behavior at any high school or post-secondary

school? Yes No

If "Yes" to either of the above questions, please explain (include school, date and circumstances):

Have you ever been denied admission to, or dismissed from, another police training academy or

criminal justice academic program? Yes No

If "Yes", please explain (include school, academy, date and circumstances):

When filling out this Personal History Statement, please keep in mind that:

1. Completion is mandatory,

2. All statements are subject to verification, and

3. Deliberate inaccuracies or incomplete statements may bar or remove you from the

basic training program.

HEREBY CERTIFY THAT ALL STATEMENTS MADE IN THIS PERSONAL HISTORY

STATEMENT ARE TRUE AND COMPLETE, AND I UNDERSTAND THAT ANY

MISSTATEMENTS OF MATERIAL FACTS WILL SUBJECT ME TO

DISQUALIFICATION OR DISMISSAL FROM THE GRCCCJTC LOCAL CORRECTIONS

ACADEMY.

Candidates Signature: Date:

I have reviewed the responses with the candidate and I am assured that he/she understands that

any misstatements of material facts will subject him/her to disqualification or dismissal from the

GRCCCJTC Local Corrections Academy.

Interviewer’s Signature Date: