If a township has established a police department, the township board is authorized to employ a chief of police and other police officers and detectives, as required.

MCL 41.806 requires that, in general law townships, the township board hires the police chief and other officers and detectives.

MCL 42.12 provides that, in a charter township, the supervisor or superintendent may be authorized by the township board to hire a police chief and police officers, subject to the approval of the township board.

A township board may also delegate this authority to a police administrative board (MCL 41.812).