Overview
About the Program
The Law Enforcement Certificate degree includes courses that are required to become employed as a peace officer in Ohio. An individual must successfully complete and pass the certification examination sponsored by the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy (OPOTA).
Marion Technical College offers the state mandated curriculum to become a certified peace officer in Ohio. The courses are offered Monday through Friday evenings and occasionally on the weekend. Upon successful completion of all academy requirements, students will be eligible to take the OPOTC exam.
Students who successfully complete the peace officer basic training academy will receive a 30-hour law enforcement certificate. Students who want to earn an Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice degree may apply a portion of the peace officer basic training credits toward the degree.
In order to become employed as a peace officer in Ohio, an individual must successfully complete and pass the certification examination sponsored by the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy (OPOTA); students complete specialized training to work as an Ohio Peace Officer.
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate an understanding of basic law enforcement skills, criminal justice techniques, and problem-solving methodologies.
- Describe and apply current laws (federal, state, & municipal) to various situations involving crimes and/or civil offenses.
- Apply learned information, concepts, and theories to successfully investigate crime/accident scenes, conduct interviews and interrogations, provide reports and courtroom testimony as needed, and interface with appropriate law enforcement professionals and/or agencies.
- Demonstrate the safe and effective use of firearms, unarmed self-defense methods, and first aid.
Ohio Peace Officer Basic Training Program Physical Fitness Standards
Eligibility to sit for the state certification exam includes the successful completion of a physical fitness assessment. Individuals must meet the following physical assessment exit standards:
| Gender |
Age |
Sit-Ups (1 min.) |
Push-Ups (1 min.) |
1.5 Mile Run |
| Males |
(<-29) |
40 |
33 |
11:58 |
| Females |
(<-29) |
35 |
18 |
14:07 |
| Males |
(30-39) |
36 |
27 |
12:25 |
| Females |
(30-39) |
27 |
14 |
114:34 |
| Males |
(40-49) |
31 |
21 |
13:11 |
| Females |
(40-49) |
22 |
11 |
15:24 |
| Males |
(50-59) |
26 |
15 |
14:16 |
| Females |
(50-59) |
17 |
13 |
17:13 |
| Males |
(60+) |
20 |
15 |
15:56 |
| Females |
(60+) |
8 |
8 |
18:52 |
Occupational Certification Opportunities
- Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy (OPOTA) Certification
Application Requirements
- In addition to general college admission, the peace officer basic training academy requires individuals to meet specialized admission criteria such as a physical examination and background investigation.
- Demonstrate college-readiness by achieving the required minimum score on a placement test, successfully completing any required college foundation courses, or satisfying other measures including but not limited to high school coursework, previous college coursework, samples of work, etc.
Career Opportunities
- Police Officer
- Court Officer
- Juvenile Center Manager
- Crime Scene Investigator
- Probation/Parole Officer
- State Highway Patrol Trooper
- Corrections Officer
- Private Security Officer
- Deputy Sheriff
- Dispatcher
- Jailer
- Fingerprint Technician
Total Credit Hours: 30
Curriculum
The following is a typical course sequence for completing this program. The actual time needed to complete the program will vary according to each student’s individual needs.
First Semester - First Session
CJA2801 would cover Units 1 (Administration), 7 (First Aid) , 12 (Physical Conditioning) of the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission Curriculum, and would be 5 credit hours for a grade.
CJA2802 would cover Unit 2 (Legal) of the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission Curriculum, and would be 5 credit hours for a grade.
CJA2803 would cover Unit 3 (Human Relations) of the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission Curriculum and would be 5 credit hours for a grade.
This would be a total of 15 hours in the first 8-weeks of the semester.
First Semester - Second Session
CJA2804 would cover Units 4 (Firearms) and 9 (Civil Disturbances) of the Ohio Peace Officer Training Curriculum and would be 5 credits for a grade.
CJA2805 would cover Unit 8 (Patrol) of the Ohio Peace Officer Training Curriculum and would be 5 credits for a grade.
CJA2806 would cover Units 10 (Traffic) and 11 (Investigations) of the Ohio Peace Officer Training Curriculum and would be 5 credits for a grade.
This series would consist of 15 credits for the second 8-week portion of the semester.
Total Credit Hours: 30