Criminal Justice-Law Enforcement (Police Academy), AAS

This program is designed for students seeking careers in entry level positions in law enforcement agencies in the State of Ohio. These agencies include city police departments, village or township police departments, or county Sheriff departments. While it is not required, it is an added benefit for those seeking careers in probation.

The Ohio Revised Code enables North Central State College to incorporate The Ohio Peace Officer’s Training Academy into the Criminal Justice Associate Degree program. The academy requirements are included in nine of the required courses for an Associate Degree of Applied Science in Criminal Justice. Upon completion of the academy requirements, the student will be eligible to take the State certification examination to become a peace officer in the State of Ohio.

Day and night academies are offered. Both academies begin in the Fall Semester and end Spring Semester of each academic year. Students must complete an academy application in order to be considered for this program. The applications for both academies are available at the mandatory orientation which normally occurs the first week of July. All students must pre‐register online in order to be accepted to attend the mandatory orientation. The open registration will begin the first Monday of April and conclude the last week of June. Students must visit North Central State College’s Criminal Justice webpage to locate the registration link. The academy must be completed on a full‐time basis. In addition, students will be required to pass a physical examination, a state certification exam, and be capable of being hired by a law enforcement agency.

There is also a Police Academy Certificate option available and consists of ten academic courses.

INDIVIDUALS WITH A FELONY AND/OR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CONVICTION OR DRUG CONVICTIONS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO ENTER THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE: LAW ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM. An acceptable Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (BCI&I) report and an FBI report is required to enter the Peace Officer Academy. This fingerprint check is part of the official application process during mandatory orientation.

Students must successfully pass a drug screening within 90 days of the start of this academy. The cost of the test is at the expense of the student. This is part of the official application process during the mandatory orientation. Students must pass a Physical Fitness Assessment Test (1.5 mile run, push‐ups, sit‐ups) at the 15% level of the OPOTA standards.

The following are the disqualifiers for entry into the police academy:

• No person can enroll or participate in a police academy if such person has any felony conviction.
• In addition to the above, those who fall under any of the below disqualifiers cannot attend:
  • Any person currently registering as a sex offender, child‐victim offender, or arson offender;
  • Any person under indictment or otherwise charged with an offense under ORC Chapter 2925, Drug Offenses; Chapter 3719, Controlled Substances, or Chapter 4729, Dangerous Drugs, that involves the illegal possession, use, sale, administration, or distribution of or trafficking in a drug of abuse – if convicted of that offense, they are disqualified for a three year period;
  • Any person under indictment or otherwise charged with a misdemeanor offense of violence – if convicted of that offense, they are disqualified for a three year period
  • Any person under indictment or otherwise charged with a violation of ORC 2903.14, Negligent Assault;
  • Any person convicted of or pleaded guilty to an offense under ORC Chapter 2913, Theft and Fraud, or a municipal ordinance that is substantially similar is disqualified for a three year period.

Ohio Administrative Code section 109:2‐1‐03

The Police Academy program of North Central State College has a reputation for excellence. Employers across Ohio have indicated our graduates are well prepared for the challenges they face as they embark on their profession.

The Associate of Applied Science degree is awarded for the completion of this program.

Program Learning Outcomes

By the end of the police academy, students will be able to:

1. Apply the core criminal justice foundation concepts of juvenile justice, criminology, constitutional law, corrections, private security, and U.S. Judicial and Criminal Justice systems in solving and defending logical arguments and applications in the field.
2. Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively in writing and speech.
3. Demonstrate well‐developed analytical and problem solving skills.
4. Demonstrate proper standards of criminal justice professionalism, morals, and ethics.