To become a Local Corrections Officer, each new candidate is required to meet all of the minimum standards established and adopted by the Michigan Sheriffs’ Coordinating and Training Council (MSCTC) under the authority of Section 8 of Public Act 125 of 2003. The Sheriff’s Office has the responsibility to screen candidates to ensure compliance with all minimum standards.
Please Note: County Sheriff’s Offices have the discretion to establish standards that exceed the MSCTC minimum standards as long as the agency can justify the higher standard in relation to the position.
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.
Each local corrections officer candidate is required to demonstrate his or her mental fitness by successfully completing both of the following requirements:
Beginning March 1, 2014, each local corrections officer candidate is required to demonstrate their physical ability by successfully completing the Michigan Sheriffs’ Coordinating and Training Council (MSCTC) Local Corrections Officer Physical Ability Test (LCOPAT) before being hired as a local corrections officer. No other physical fitness/physical ability test will meet the requirements.
The LCOPAT is designed to simulate the physical aspects of the local corrections officer profession and is made up of different components that address a specific physical ability or job task.
It is the candidate's responsibility to provide proof of successful completion of the LCOPAT to a potential employer. The test results of the LCOPAT are valid for one (1) year from successful completion of the test.
Test applicants are required to provide a completed Physician's Health Screening Form prior to taking the exam. You may obtain a copy of this form by clicking the link below. The form is in Adobe PDF format. You must have the free Adobe PDF Viewer installed on your computer to view the document.
The MSCTC has prepared a written guide for candidates preparing to take the LCOPAT. The guide is also in the Adobe PDF format.