Recognizing public safety is essential to the continued revitalization of Detroit, a new Wayne State University pilot program will offer City of Detroit police officers tuition reimbursement to attend the school.
Through recently ratified union contracts, the City of Detroit is providing its officers a professional development package that includes a salary increase, an increase in starting pay and up to $2,000 per year in tuition reimbursement. The deal is aimed at helping with the recruitment and retention of talent. Wayne State will match the city’s tuition reimbursement with an additional $2,000 per year for officers enrolling for 12 credits or more and a prorated scholarship amount of up to $1,000 for less than 12 credit hours, depending on their credit load.
“Wayne State has a long, close partnership with the Detroit Police Department, and we know that retention of our talented DPD officers is key to our city’s continued progress,” said Wayne State President M. Roy Wilson. “We are proud to step up and support our hardworking DPD officers in furthering their education.”
Under the pilot program, which will launch in fall 2016, Wayne State will provide the match for up to 30 officers per year. Eligible DPD officers must begin in a fall semester. The Detroit Police Department will pay $2,000 for an officer’s first semester and WSU will pay $2,000 for the subsequent spring semester. The WSU offer is good for four consecutive years. The student must maintain a 2.5 GPA and remain in good academic standing. Program members must be seeking a bachelor’s degree and declare a major of study.
“This generous offer by Wayne State will help us to build on the professionalism that already exists within the Detroit Police Department,” said Mayor Mike Duggan. “A partnership like this shows the level of support our officers have in this community.”
Admission to Wayne State University will be based on the member’s educational background: high school GPA (may be required), ACT or SAT score (may be required), and community college credit hours and GPA earned (may be considered). DPD will assist with the selection process to admit qualified members, which will include an essay submission regarding improvements to Detroit, such as revitalization and stabilization.
“I am a firm believer in elevating one’s mind as a means of improving the world around them,” said Detroit Police Chief James Craig. “This very gracious tuition match program from Wayne State University serves to further this administration’s commitment to provide the City of Detroit with the best possible officers we can recruit.”
The Detroit Police Officers Association, the Detroit Police Lieutenants and Sergeants Association, and the Detroit Police Command Officers Association represent the 2,224 officers eligible for the WSU program.
Wayne State has long been committed to higher education for law enforcement officers. All of the Wayne State University Police Department’s 60 officers are commissioned as Detroit police officers and hold a bachelor’s degree or higher.