Clark State College will hold a graduation ceremony for 13 cadets of the Basic Peace Officer Training Academy at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, August 8, 2023, at the Hollenbeck Bayley Creative Arts and Conference Center, 275 South Limestone Street, Springfield.
Clark State’s state-of-the-art police academy training facility features a subject control/physical fitness center. A new practical training room is used for practical (hands-on) training for domestic violence, crime scene, DUI enforcement training and Milo System training (weapons scenario-based system to train officers in the use of force).
The Clark State Basic Peace Officer Training Academy celebrated its 50th anniversary in August of 2019. The Academy is designed to meet the requirements of the Ohio Police Officer Training Council (OPOTC) and is offered in cooperation with local law enforcement agencies, the State of Ohio, and OPOTC.
Advances in technology and an emphasis on homeland security have fueled a demand for law enforcement professionals equipped to meet the changes in national security. Several rewarding law enforcement careers that are in demand in today’s security-conscious society include FBI Agent, Homeland Security, Police Officer, Deputy Sheriff, Armed Security, Corrections Officers, Probation Officers, Court Officers, U.S. Marshal, Customs Agent, Secret Service Agent and Game Warden.
Weber said Clark State is sending well-trained cadets into the workforce, and he is confident they will make excellent police officers.
“The cadets spend 5-7 months of intense training to start a long and rewarding career in police service for our communities,” he said. “They complete 769 hours of training. We are proud of their accomplishments and wish them all success as they move forward.”
Clark State offers four peace officer training academies each year—four-month daytime academies and six-month evening academies are each held twice a year. Each academy is limited to 25 cadets.
Cadets must be 21 years of age at the time they take the state certification exam. Cadets must also have a valid Ohio driver’s license, a high school diploma or GED equivalent and cannot have any felony or violent misdemeanor convictions.
Those interested in enrolling in the Clark State Basic Peace Officer Training Academy should call 937.328.6050 for more information or complete an online inquiry form at https://www.clarkstate.edu/academics/basic-police-officer-inquiry-form/ .
Prospective cadets are required to complete the OPOTA application and other required forms. A candidate is required to pass a physical assessment test, a physical, a drug screen and be fingerprinted for a BCI background check.
A complete list of graduates and the ceremony schedule is available at: https://bit.ly/PoliceGrad_8-8-23