Peace Officer Basic Training Academy Named a STAR Training Center

Setting itself apart among institutions in central Ohio and statewide, Central Ohio Technical College (COTC) recently received designation by the Ohio Attorney General’s Office as an approved STAR Training Center for law enforcement. It is the fifth academy statewide and first in Central Ohio to receive the award. 

The STAR Training Center designation, announced by Attorney General David Yost in 2021, is designed to create a professional standard and incentive for excellence among Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission (OPOTC) Approved Basic Academies. Academies voluntarily seeking the STAR designation demonstrate their belief that a standard of excellence is essential in producing top cadets to the law enforcement agencies who employ them and the communities they serve. 

The OPOT Commission licenses basic training academies throughout the state, requiring 737 total hours of training. Academies recognized by the STAR Program must meet at least a dozen extra criteria, some of which include[WR1] :

• an 85% pass rate for the State Certification Exam
• conducting periodic academic assessments (no fewer than four) to gauge cadets’ retention of student performance objectives
• providing training above minimum hours in three or more high-risk topics, for at least 15 cumulative hours
• maintaining or pursuing the use of tech training or exposure for students, such as body cameras

Since 2014, all COTC peace officer basic training graduates have passed the state certification exam. COTC has also ranked in the top two open-enrollment police academies for passing the state certification exam since 2017.

The COTC peace officer basic training academy has two schedule options for students.

• The daytime, accelerated program can be completed in one semester (15 weeks). Classes are offered Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (with some weekend and/or evening classwork as needed). New classes begin every January (spring semester) at the Newark campus. 
• The evening program can be completed in two semesters (approximately nine months). Classes are offered Monday through Friday from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. (with some weekend classwork as needed). New classes begin every August (autumn semester) at the Newark campus.
• The college academy is approximately 20 weeks starting in May (summer semester) and ending in October. Most classes are held during the day, but some nights and weekends are required. Advanced firearms and patrol classes are available for this academy only.

Students with demonstrated financial need, as well as students who are currently in or exiting foster care, and want to enroll in the peace officer basic training certificate program, may be eligible for a short-term certificate grant of up to $2,000.

For more information about the program, visit: go.cotc.edu/POBT.