Self Nomination to attend an academy

[2t2guy]

Can anyone tell me how I go about self nominating or sponsering myself into an academy to receive an Ohio POST certificate?

I have seen where many police and sheriff departments are looking for people who have already attended an academy.

Also, I attended an academy in California but I am do not know if Ohio will accept that POST certificate. Does anyone know the answer to these two questions? Thanks

[FiremanMike]

I don't know the question about transferring your California POST, but here in Ohio we are governed by the Ohio Peace Officers Training Council (OPOTC). Most academies other than those owned/run by the major agencies (Columbus/Cleveland/Cinci/Ohio State Patrol) are open enrollment, meaning just meet with the commander of the program and sign up for the next avail class.

If you are looking to go full-time right off the bat, just apply and let them send you to the OSP academy. If you're looking to start out part-time/aux then you could consider going open enrollment..

Good luck!

[2t2guy]

Firemenmike,

To do the open enrollment for part time or aux, do i just go directly to the academy? or does the agency i want to work p/t at contact the academy?
Thanks

[FiremanMike]

I can only speak for PT/Aux agencies in Central Ohio, because that's where I live and those are the ones I've been calling. All but one said I couldn't even pick up an application until after I had passed my certification test, and the one only let me turn in my app but wouldn't start my background until that time.

The best you might get is if you have a really good friend high up at a small PD or small SO that will throw you a conditional commission prior to finishing school. That being said, I don't know of any agencies in this area that will sponsor you or make any calls for you to get in, not that they need to.

Your best bet is to look for academies in your area, call them up and sign up/pay for their next class. In central Ohio there's Delaware Area Career Center, Eastland Career Center, Columbus State Community College (a 2 year degree program though) and I think Central Ohio Technical College that all have open enrollment (meaning no requirement to be affiliated with a department) programs.

Hopefully this helped, and don't worry about the naysayers on this board, there are in fact jobs in Ohio..

[just joe]

If you want to self sponsor, just contact the academy directly. How long have you been out of law enforcement? If it has been over three years you will have to take the whole academy over again. You need to get hold of the Ohio Peace Officer's Training Academy and talk to their certifications and standards guy--he will tell you what documentation he needs from Cali to determine what academy subject areas you will be given credit for.

[LPI]

#1 don't listen to anything wpelish says, she is not even LE and can't get a job.

You need to contact OPOTA (go to Ohio Attorney General website) and they will review your current training and have you take additional training (if any) to meet Ohio standards. They may require this to be done through the prospective hiring agency, I am not sure.

Good luck, there are plenty of jobs here for QUALITY individuals.;)

[TPD94]

LPI nailed it. You should be able to retain some of the academy req's from Cali, but there are portions that the state of Ohio require you to meet, hence, go through an open enrollment academy. Luckily, my agency paid for my tuition and hourly rate to go through an academy. Not too many places do that anymore, and you will see some clowns there that should have stayed at home and saved some money. And yes, there are jobs here in Ohio, despite who you speak with, you never know about prospective LEO's backgrounds prior to applying. Keep looking, don't give up, it's out there, lot of it is timing. Good luck!!

[LPI]

No first of all don't listen anything anyone here says at all! Most are wanna be's and don't even work in the field. Also here is the Number for OPOTA 330-659-2311. That is the Richfield Campus. Also, I am right there are no jobs here in Ohio. Unless you like testing for full time spots with only one opening. That is very commonplace. Also, I should know what OPOTA has to say because I have asked all these questions before. Also I know of an officer that was working out of state and was gone for more than 4 years. He had to do the 80 refresher course and not the entire academy. However, it was stated that he should have redone the entire academy. This Officer works for Bayview PD near Sandusky. He is also an OPOTA instructor. But like the man said don't listen to me. I am just a naysayer. Actually I am opportunist! From what I have seen there is very little opportunity here in Ohio. But they have jobs. Just not as a wide range as they do in California. Also they pay better in California.


No, there are no jobs for YOU. The only "wanna be" on here answering questions is you.

[bill198483]

well thats weird, i took a test for a central ohio department that was only hiring a few people out of over 100 that took the test. I got a job and will top out at over 72,000 a year. There are numerous depts in central ohio topping out at over 60,000 and per cost of living that is way better than most out of state jobs.

There are jobs in Ohio but you have to be a good qualified candidate to get one. I got my bachelors degree, took combat fighting classes, and work out daily to increase my chances of getting a job. If you work hard enough and do more than just go to some open enrollment academy with only a high school degree, you have a good chance at getting a job.