Police Academy

Police Academy

Contact Theresa at 440.891.7697 or tliska@polaris.edu to arrange a personal tour!

800 HOURS
This program will adhere to all State of Ohio OPOTC standards.
The Polaris Career Center Police Academy provides candidates for police and natural resource law enforcement officer positions and other careers that require peace officer training.  This program is conducted under the auspices of the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission.  The instruction will be provided by those who have experience and expertise in the field of law enforcement, natural resources and parks and recreation.     The Polaris Police Academy is the proud recipient of the Ohio Attorney General STAR Academy designation. This award recognizes Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission-approved police academies that go above and beyond the minimum requirments to ensure that cadets receive the best possible training.

Subject Areas:

• Administration
• Legal
• Human relations
• Firearms
• Driving
• Subject control techniques
• First aid/CPR/AED
• Patrol
• Civil disorders
• Traffic
• Investigation
• Physical conditioning
• Homeland Security
• OC spray skills
• Taser skills
• Safety

This all-inclusive academy will provide the following during the program:

• Academy uniforms (except shoes, black socks and black belt) including the following: two shirts, two pairs of pants, one sweatshirt, one pair of shorts, and one duty bag, 3 t-shirts, 1 ball cap.
• Use of duty belt with accessories (holster, magazine pouch, handcuff case, etc.)
• Use of handgun and ammunition
• Use of shotgun and ammunition
• Use of expandable baton
• Use of chemical repellent spray (OC/Pepper Spray)
• Use of taser

Requirements for Completion:

• A "C" average (70%) or higher is required for non-OPOTA hours 
• Attendance rate not less than 90% is required for non-OPOTA hours
• Required attendance for OPOTA hours is 100%.  Any time missed is required to be made-up at the expense of the student within two weeks of time missed.
• Payment of all outstanding obligations to the school
• Successfully pass all state proficiency standards (2 attempts)

Students registered in the Police Academy will also adhere to the policies presented in the PEACE OFFICER BASIC TRAINING STUDENT HANDBOOK administered by the State of Ohio.

Certifications/License:

• Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission (OPOTC)
• AHA First Aid & CPR/AED
• Collapsible Baton Certification
• Taser Certification
• ICS/NIMS Certification

Requirements for licensure:

• To be eligible for OPOTC certification as a peace officer, students will need to successfully complete certain skill-based student performance objectives (SPO’s), meet higher physical fitness assessment standards, and pass a computer based state certification exam (SCE) at Pearson Vue, showing knowledge of cognitive-based SPO’s. Each student is given two opportunities to pass each proficiency.  Must pass at 70% or higher.

• AHA First Aid & CPR/AED

Requirements for Employment:

• OPOTC certfication is required for anyone securing a job as a peace officer.
• US Citizen
• Valid Ohio Driver's License (within 6 months of Ohio residency)
• High school diploma, GED certificate or its equivalent
• Must be 21 years of age

 
Career Opportunities:

• Police Officer
• County Sheriff
• Park Ranger
• Wildlife Officer
• Hospital-based Police Officer
• College Campus Police Officer
• Security
• Highway Patrol

Requirements and Prerequisites to Register:
Students may register once all prerequisite requirements listed below are met. Students must:

• Be a U.S. citizen
• Be 21 years of age by the completion of the program
• Show proof of a valid driver’s license
• Complete a physical exam with satisfactory results (after April 1, 2022)
• Complete and pass the State of Ohio required physical fitness assessment
• Complete a satisfactory drug screening test 
• Complete a background check with satisfactory results (no felonies or serious misdemeanors)

Contact the Adult Education department to schedule the physical fitness assessment by calling 440-891-7653 or 440-891-7697.

Once a student has satisfactorily completed all prerequisites, the student may register in-person by following the admission procedures as listed on page 15.

Qualifies for CT2 College Credit

Fall 2022 - Evening & Saturday
Program Orientation: Monday, August 29, 2022 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
August 30, 2022 - June 2023 (exact completion date determined by enrollment and weather; some Fridays and Sundays may be required)
Monday - Thursday & Saturday: 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM (M - Th) & 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM (Sat)

Total Program Cost $7,995:
Includes Tuition: $6,900, Books & Supplies: $458, Materials & Assessments: $637
Cost includes textbooks, uniforms (except shoes, black belt and black socks), all supplies and state examination fee.  Students can expect the following additional costs: physical exam, drug screening, uniform shoes, black belt, black socks and any make-up hour costs.

Contact Theresa at 440.891.7697 or tliska@polaris.edu to arrange a personal tour!
 

Police Academy 2021-2022 Advisory Members

Ms. Tanya Czak, Parma Heights Police Department
Mr. Daniel Engelman, The MetroHealth System Police Department
Mr. Sean Flanigan, Stark Enterprises
Mr. Tim Franczak, Village of Linndale Police Department
Mr. Joseph Grecol, Notre Dame College 
Dr. Joseph Han, Management Consultant
Dr. Patrick Hunt, Heritage Congregational Church
Mr. Jared Magyar, Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority
Mrs. Jess Zuk, Avon Police Department