Grand Rapids is one of the major metropolitan areas in the state of Michigan, and because of the large border that the state shares with Canada- and the proximity of said border to Canada’s largest city of Toronto- homeland security is a priority in Grand Rapids and throughout the state.
There are several homeland security organizations and agencies located in and around Grand Rapids. These organizations and agencies are responsible with forming partnerships with local, city, county, state and federal governments in order to form an information sharing infrastructure that can bring down foreign and domestic terrorist plots, organized crime units and human and drug trafficking rings (among many other types of crime.)
Homeland Security Organizations Located in Grand Rapids
While the United States Department of Homeland Security is the major entity located in Grand Rapids, there are other organizations, divisions and agencies also concerned with homeland security operations. These entities include:
- The Michigan State Police- Homeland Security and Emergency Management division
- The Great Lakes Homeland Security Agency
- The City of Grand Rapids Homeland Security Department
- The Homeland Security Division of the Grand Rapids Police Department
Homeland Security Degrees in Grand Rapids
Degrees offered in Grand Rapids, both online and through traditional schooling, include the following areas of study:
- Criminal Justice Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice
- Master Degree in Criminal Justice- Terrorism, Mediation and Peace
- Associate Degree in Criminal Justice
- Bachelor Degree in Homeland Security- Leadership and Executive Management
- Master Degree in Criminal Justice- Homeland Security Technology
- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
In most cases, a degree in a closely related field can substitute for the more specific degrees mentioned above. Closely related fields include the following areas of study:
- Business Administration
- Homeland Security
- Criminal Justice
- Human Services
- Law Enforcement
- Terrorism, Mediation, and Peace
- Forensic Psychology and Criminal Investigation
Homeland Security Degrees and Certification in Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids is home to the Great Lakes Homeland Security Training Conference, which is one of the largest training entities in the state of Michigan. The event is formed through a partnership with more than 1,500 homeland security organizations on the city, county, state, regional and federal level, as well as private sector homeland security providers. Through training, people can obtain homeland security certification in hazardous materials, citizen awareness and preparedness, emergency mitigation, terrorism and emergency planning. In most cases, homeland security jobs in Grand Rapids require certification and training.