Basic Police Academy Application Process
Students must complete all the actions in the application process listed below to be considered for acceptance into the Basic Police Academy. We encourage you to complete these actions simultaneously so you can work through the entire process in a timely manner.
Before getting started. Please review the Application Guidelines via the button above.
All applicants must start the process by completing and submitting the entire Basic Police Academy application online.
Do not use a college or university email address. A personal email address will be used by OPOTC throughout your law enforcement career.
Basic Police Academy students must also be current Tri-C students.
Those who are new to Tri-C must apply as a credit student.
Those who have previously attended but aren’t current students must reapply.
Current Tri-C students must be in good academic and financial standing with the College and must provide a valid S-Number to attend the academy. Call 216-987-4200 to check your student standing. Acceptance into the College does not constitute acceptance into the Basic Police Academy.
If you are taking academic classes during the spring and summer semesters, do not change your major until your classes have ended. If you change your major before completing classes, it may affect financial aid or scholarships. Major Code is: S606
Each applicant must take standardized math and English assessment tests. Assessments cannot be taken until a Tri-C admissions application is submitted. This process is different from registration. See Testing Center locations and hours.
You can pay for the Basic Police Academy using financial aid, including a Pell Grant, student loans, scholarships or via a payment plan. Payment plans can be set up after acceptance and before the academy starts. If you plan to apply for scholarships, you must submit the required FAFSA.
Choose one of the following payment methods prior to the start of the academy:
- Self-pay: Payment plans will be set up after orientation.
- Financial aid and scholarships: Complete a FAFSA online or call 216-987-6000 to obtain a financial aid packet. *Tri-C school code: 003040; program code: S606 (degree) or S608 (Certificate of Proficiency)
- Veteran benefits
Choose “Yes” for Title IV as this will allow any financial aid funds (Pell Grants, student loans or scholarships) to pay out the credit and noncredit fees for the Basic Police Academy. The cost of the academy consists of 24 credits and a noncredit fee.
OPOTC will only accept physical examinations conducted by a medical doctor (MD) osteopath (DO) or physician assistant (PA) licensed by the State Medical Board of Ohio or by a certified nurse practitioner (CNP) licensed by the Ohio Board of Nursing. Complete the SF114 Student Health Data form and take it with you to the examination. The medical professional will complete the bottom portion of the form. Return completed, signed original forms to the Basic Police Academy office. Email/fax copies will not be accepted.
Each applicant must take and pass a drug screen per OPTOC standards. Community Action Against Addiction (CAAA) is the drug screen provider for the Basic Police Academy. Complete the SF147 Authorization for Use or Disclosure of Drug Screen Information and take it, along with two forms of identification and $40, to CAAA at 5209 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, Ohio 44103. No appointment is required. The hours are Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Return completed, signed original forms to the Basic Police Academy office. Email/fax copies will not be accepted.
OPOTC requires a background check. There is no cost to applicants for the background check. Complete the SF 102 Request for National WebCheck® form and bring it along with your driver’s license or state ID and Social Security card to one of the following locations:
- Tri-C Campus Police and Security Services
- Western Campus (Parma) - Wednesdays by appointment only. Call 216-987-5326 to schedule.
- Metro Campus Police and Services (Cleveland) - Tuesdays 9 a.m. – noon by appointment only. Call the dispatch number 216-987-4325 and tell them you need to make a WebCheck appointment for the Basic Police Academy.
- Lake, Lorain, Medina, Summit, or Stark County Sheriff's Offices.
You must take the SF102 Request for National WebCheck® form, driver’s license and Social Security card for your background check. The completed SF102 must be returned to the academy office.
All court cases are opened for review by OPOTC when a background check is requested, regardless of the court’s decision or whether the case has been sealed or expunged. Obtain an official (notarized) disposition of your court case(s) through the Clerk of Courts where your case was decided to turn in with your application paperwork. Felony convictions are an automatic disqualifier.
Applicants must complete and pass all three physical fitness assessment (PFA) events during the same testing session and achieve results in the 15th percentile or above — according to Cooper Age and Gender Base Standards — to be considered for acceptance into the Basic Police Academy. Applicants who don't pass the initial assessment may retake it for an additional fee.
A $25 PFA fee is due at the time of registration.
The Police Physical Agility Test that is completed for those applying to law enforcement agencies DOES NOT MEET the PFA requirement for the academy.
Applicants must have a valid Ohio driver’s license with full driving privileges. Submit a certified copy of your official three-year driving record from the BMV office or the Ohio BMV website (minimal fee) to the Basic Police Academy office. Email/fax copies will not be accepted.
Complete the SF104 FERPA Consent to Release Student Information form. Email/fax copies will not be accepted.
Complete the SF101 Student Disclosures and Statement of Understanding. Email/fax copies will not be accepted.
You must make an appointment to turn in your complete application packet. Do not make an appointment until all requirements are completed, including the physical fitness assessment. The following signed, original forms should be dropped off at the Basic Police Academy office (by appointment only).
- Completed SF101 Student Disclosures and Statement of Understanding
- Completed SF102 Request for National WebCheck®
- Completed SF104 FERPA Consent to Release Student Information Form
- Completed SF114 Student Health Data form
- SF147 Authorization for Use or Disclosure of Drug Screen Information form
- Certified copy of three-year driving record from BMV