How to Become a Police Officer in Ohio

Want to become a police officer in Ohio? There are some steps you need to take if you want to join the community of law-enforcement agents. Schooling and a physical are just the start of becoming a police officer in Ohio.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Enroll in a police training academy designed to train candidates for the police department. There are many different academies to choose from.

2. Complete 550 hours of training at the police academy you choose. The training involves many different aspects of being a police officer. You will learn how to deal with suspects, diffuse a volatile situation and collect evidence from a crime scene. Many times the training program lasts six months or more. You will be living at the academy while going through training. In many instances, you are issued a paycheck for 40 hours per week.

3. Register to sit for the Ohio Peace Officer's Certification test. You must pass this test before you are certified as a police officer.

4. Pass the physical exam. The physical is not only a health check, but also an evaluation of what you can do and a test of your stamina. One of the requirements is to be able to run a mile in an allotted time limit. Failing to run the mile makes you ineligible for employment.

5. Apply to the police department you want to work with. There are job openings only at certain times. You must be aware of when the department is going to hire new recruits.

Tips & Warnings

• Prior service as a police officer in another state makes you eligible to request a prior equivalent training analysis. This means you do not have to go through the entire training process again, if you pass the analysis.
• Certification as a police officer in the state of Ohio means you can apply anywhere in the state that is hiring new police officers.

Resources

• Ohio Police Officer Training Academy
• Ohio law-enforcement agencies
• Ohio police academies

Who Can Help Sponsored

• Earn your degree from industry experts at University of Phoenix. Take the next step in your career.

[danmarius7]

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