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Whether you want to earn a degree, improve your skills, get certified, train for a new career, or explore a new hobby, you can choose from many programs and courses.

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What type of student are you? New Student Returning Transfer Visiting International College Credit Plus Non-Credit All Student Types

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Explore your interests and find a program that puts you on the path to a bright future. Tri-C offers both credit and non-credit courses as well as certificate programs in most career fields.

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More than 1,000 credit courses are offered each semester in more than 200 career and technical programs. Tri-C also grants short-term certificates, certificates of proficiency and post-degree professional certificates.

View A-Z Program List

Workforce Training & Professional Development

Tri-C's Workforce Training provides both non-credit and credit training for individuals and businesses to assist individuals with skills leading to employment. Tri-C's Corporate College provides professional development and corporate training opportunities.

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Basic Police Academy

Public Safety Institute - Home Law Enforcement - Home Basic Police Academy Basic Police Academy Courses Physical Fitness Assessment Police Academy Application Process
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Basic Police Academy

Basic Police Academy

The Fall Academy application process will begin late April 2023

Photo of Basic Police Academy cadet and instructor

The Tri-C® Peace Officer Basic Training (POBT) Academy, also known as the Police Academy, is the first step on your path to a rewarding career as a police officer. Earn college credit while preparing to become a police officer in the state of Ohio. 

  • Full-time day (24-week) or part-time evening (36-week) academies available
  • Offered at Tri-C’s Western Campus
  • More than 700 contact hours
  • Lectures, hands-on training, scenario-based and group participation
  • Prepares you for the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission (OPOTC) exam
  • Additional advanced training certifications available
  • State-of-the-art law enforcement training facility includes onsite range
  • Financial aid available to eligible students
  • 24 credit hours can be applied toward an Associate of Applied Science degree in Criminal Justice with concentration in Basic Police Academy

  • High school diploma or GED
  • 18 years or older at time of acceptance (21 years recommended)*  
  • Mandatory attendance for duration of the academy (per OPOTC regulation). Missed classes must be made up within 14 days at the discretion of the commander.
  • U.S. citizen
  • Valid Ohio driver’s license with full driving privileges
  • In good health as documented by physical exam signed by a licensed physician
  • Successfully pass a nine-panel drug screen and background check
  • Successfully pass Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA)
  • No criminal history**

*There is no age requirement; however, potential cadets should understand the unlikelihood of being hired/sworn (offered a commission) with a police department until 21 years of age or older. The College also requires that all firearms be transported to and from the range by someone of at least 21 years of age. The following OPOTC standards are in place and apply to all graduates of the Police Academy, regardless of age:

  • The individual has one year after taking and passing the OPOTC State Certification Exam (SCE) to obtain a commission without having to take any further classes.
  • If hired after the one-year anniversary of passing the SCE, the individual must have enough time to finish any new OPOTC requirements before the second year anniversary date of the SCE. If the deadline is not met, the individual must repeat the entire OPOTC Basic Police Academy.
  • If any individual does not receive a commission by the second year anniversary of having passed the SCE, they must successfully repeat the entire OPOTC Basic Police Academy.

 ** Any felony conviction (including any arrests or convictions expunged or sealed by the court) and certain misdemeanor convictions (including domestic violence and drug possession) may prohibit you from entering the academy. In addition, any crime reduction or plea agreement/bargain in which the original charge was domestic violence will prohibit you from entering the academy. A full list of disqualifiers can be found in the Ohio Administration Code section 109:2-1-03.

  • Cuyahoga County residents: $5,875*
  • Out-of-county residents: $6,583.96*

Tuition includes:

  • Cost of 24 academic credit hours (based on residency) plus, academy noncredit fee
  • Blackboard access to OPOTC (Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission) classroom materials and handouts
  • Standard American Heart Association or Red Cross First Aid/CPR certification
  • Uniform components
  • Optional use of duty gear and firearms. Cadets wishing to purchase their own firearm must purchase a 9mm Glock, Model 17 or 19. Personal handguns and ammunition must be inspected and approved by range master. Firearms should not be purchased until instructed by academy staff.
  • Cost for one (1) attempt to pass State Certification Exam (second attempt, if needed is $95)

Additional fees not covered in above costs:

  • Non-refundable Physical Fitness Assessment Fee** (due at time of assessment): $25
  • Technology fee for full-time students (two semesters): $140
  • Pre-entrance drug screen (paid directly to screen agency): $40
  • Pre-entrance physical exam (paid directly to medical provider): Cost varies
  • Required uniform pants: Approximately $25 per pair
  • Ammunition for handgun and shotgun: Approximately $345

*Tuition or fees subject to change without notice.

**Keep in mind that a Physical Agility test taken at Tri-C does NOT meet the Physical Fitness Assessment requirement.

DO NOT COMPLETE ANY FORMS FOR THE  FALL 2023 ACADEMIES.  

Forms must be completed during a certain time frame per the State. Forms completed prior to that time frame will not be accepted by the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission per their regulations.

View all details in the application process.You must complete all the actions to be accepted into the Basic Police Academy. There is no specific order that the actions must be completed. We encourage applicants to work on all actions simultaneously. 

Related Programs or Classes

Tri-C offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Basic Police Academy. For more information on the associate degree program, contact jimi.gonzalez@tri-c.edu or call 216-987-5113.

Be sure to use Tri-C School Code: 003040 and Criminal Justice/Police Academy Major Code: S606 or S608.

See which states this program meets licensure/certification requirements.

Police Academy Application
Police Academy Courses
Physical Fitness Assessment

Upcoming Academies

Full-Time Day Academy
Begins Aug. 28, 2023

Part-Time Evening/Saturday Academy*
Begins Aug. 28, 2023

* Evening/Saturday Academy must meet the minimum amount of students in order for the academy to run. If the minimum is not met, candidates will be offered a seat in the Day Academy, in the order completed applications are received. 

Police academy schedules are subject to change by the commander and/or the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission for unforeseen or uncontrollable events. Cadets will always be notified of changes.

 

Forms must be completed during a certain time frame. Forms completed prior to that time frame will not be accepted by the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission per their regulations.

Important notice:

Classes will be held during Dec. 18-22, 2023 and Jan. 2-16, 2024.

These two time frames are after the credit term has ended.

You will be registered in a non-credit section. This non-credit section does not have any bearing on cost because there is no fee attached. Because there is no cost involved, VA benefits are not available during this part of training.

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Current Tri-C Police Academy students and graduates are welcome to join our Tri-C Police Academy Group

Program Video

Basic Police Academy at Tri-C

How to Reach Us

Nancy Nekoranec
Program Coordinator
216-987-3076
nancy.nekoranec@tri-c.edu 

Rachael Sedlak
Coordinator
216-987-3031
rachael.sedlak@tri-c.edu 

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700 Carnegie Avenue
Cleveland, Ohio 44115

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