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Police Academy

CSCC Police Academy

Columbus State Community College’s Criminal Justice program annually conducts a Peace Officer Basic Training Academy (police academy), fully certified through the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission (OPOTC).  This certification is required of any and all persons seeking to become a police officer in the State of Ohio.

Our academy is embedded within a two-year associate’s degree program where attendees attend college classes the for the first year (3 semesters) of the program and then participate in academy training classes the second year in both Autumn & Spring semesters (fourth & fifth semesters in the plan of study), culminating in the State Certification Exam conducted by the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy.  Throughout the academy, participants are additionally tested on a variety of technical training skills to include Physical Fitness, Self-Defense, Firearms, Emergency Vehicle Operation and First Aid/CPR.  Individuals must pass each individual technical skill testing measure to be permitted to sit for the final OPOTC Certification Exam. 

Note: at this time we do not currently operate a “stand-alone” police academy for individuals who are only interested in obtaining the certification training without attending the two-year degree program.  Those persons who have already completed degree work or equivalence (i.e. Associate’s or Bachelor’s) in law enforcement, criminal justice or a related field from CSCC or another accredited educational institution of higher learning as well as those individuals who have obtained official sponsorship from an Ohio law enforcement agency may be eligible to attend without having to complete the designated first-year pre-requisite classes.  These non-program spots are very limited however and require advance approval from the designated academy commander. 

Program Parameters

  • Approximately 640 hours of training (combination of seated & technical skill)

  • Runs mid-August through mid-May (Autumn & Spring semesters)

  • Classroom training sessions are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM

  • Technical skill training sessions are held in the afternoons (variable) and on some weekend dates

  • Costs include tuition (based on credit hour fee schedule), uniform purchase & training equipment purchase

    -   Tuition costs are currently $3,000.00 (financial aid eligible)

    -   Uniform & training equipment costs are approx. $500.00

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Declared “Academy Track” major (CRJ.ACAD.AAS) and completion of first three semesters of the plan of study (or relatively close) OR completion of related degree work at Columbus State OR completion of an Associate's or Bachelor’s degree in a related field from another institution
  • Hold a valid Ohio driver’s license
  • No felony convictions (includes juvenile convictions)
  • No criminal convictions of domestic violence
  • No criminal convictions of drug abuse or related offenses
  • At least 20 years of age (or relatively close)
  • “Fair” to “High” physical fitness level upon entry into the academy
  • Approval from designated Academy Commander
  • Completion of CSCC academy registration process (will occur in June)
  • Completion of OPOTC academy registration process (will occur in June)

Columbus State’s Criminal Justice Program reserves the right to deny any person entry into the police academy based on pre-determined factors such as academic performance or prior student conduct concerns. 

Timeline

January – December: It is strongly recommended that interested persons meeting the above parameters should contact and meet with (or at least correspond with) one of the program academy commanders prior to the registration process to ensure that they are eligible and fully knowledgeable with academy parameters and training expectations.  Persons interested in attending, regardless of whether they are currently declared CRJ.ACAD.AAS majors, should ensure that they provide their contact information to: Daniel Hare (dhare1@cscc.edu).

April – May: Informational sessions which will be held in Spring Semester of each year with the purpose of providing a detailed overview of CSCC police academy operations and requirements.  These meetings will be announced and posted in the CRJ Office area (academy bulletin board in Franklin Hall 206).  Persons who have provided their contact information to academy staff will be sent an invite via email of the specific dates/times these sessions will be held.

June: Participants will be required to attend a mandatory academy registration meeting with academy staff to formally register for the academy with both the college and the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission. 

July: Uniform and training equipment purchase

August – May: Academy operations commence in mid-August and are completed in mid-May of each academic year. 

OPOTC Physical Fitness Requirements

The Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission (OPOTC) requires all academy participants to demonstrate a minimum level of physical fitness per the below denoted standards.  Proficiency is verified by a test administered and given by OPOTC representatives in the final portion of the academy training calendar.  Cadets will be required to meet these standards by the designated testing date or will be precluded from finishing the academy program per OPOTC standards.

. Males: 20 – 29 years of age Females: 20 – 29 years of age
Sit-Ups (1 min.) 40 sit ups 35 sit ups
Push-Ups (1 min.) 33 push ups 18 push ups
1.5 mile run 11:58 14:15
. Males: 30 – 39 years of age Females: 30 – 39 years of age
Sit-Ups (1 min.) 36 sit ups 27 sit ups
Push-Ups (1 min.) 27 sit ups 14 sit ups
1.5 mile run 12:25 15:14
. Males: 40 – 49 years of age Females: 40 – 49 years of age
Sit-Ups (1 min.) 31 22
Push-Ups (1 min.) 21 11
1.5 mile run 13:05 16:13
. Males: 50 – 59 years of age Females: 50 – 59 years of age
Sit-Ups (1 min.) 26 17
Push-Ups (1 min.) 15 13* modified
1.5 mile run 14:33 18:05

More information

For further information related to Columbus State’s Police Academy program, please contact:

Daniel Hare, Program Coordinator & Academy Commander
dhare1@cscc.edu
(614) 287-2594