Today’s law enforcement officers need annual continuing education to become career-long learners capable of meeting the ever-evolving demands of 21st-century policing. To that end, OPOTA Advanced Training equips Ohio’s peace officers with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to adapt to a diverse range of situations and environments in order to safely and effectively protect the communities they serve.
OPOTA Advanced Training embraces a science-based approach to instruction and education designed to yield the highest-quality law enforcement professionals. Our Advanced Training instructors are an integral part of the process, helping to build courses that reflect current research on skill selection, training design, and delivery methods – thereby allowing for optimal learning and retention of critical police skills. The instructors work with the OPOTA Professional Standards and Curriculum Development sections to revise and establish basic training curriculum.
Training for post-certified officers and leaders covers multiple disciplines to enhance the breadth of their knowledge and skills. OPOTA Advanced Training encompasses instructor-level training; investigative training; officer preparedness (driving, firearms, subject control and de-escalation); officer wellness and professional development; community trust and involvement; legal knowledge; and technology.
Advanced Training courses are available at OPOTA’s facilities in London, Ohio, and at the academy’s Close to Home regional provider locations.
New for Advanced Training instructors since 2024 is the availability of virtual reality (VR) devices. The headsets are loaded with a series of immersive scenario-based training that mirror real-life situations, allowing peace officers statewide to practice effectively responding to and defusing potentially volatile calls for service using soft skills and crisis-management techniques. Agencies can borrow the VR devices from an OPOTA regional provider or purchase their own; the scenarios are uploaded free to agency-purchased devices.
In 2025, Advanced Training instructors are conducting workshops for adjunct OPOTA instructors to maintain consistency and provide course updates. Keep checking the OPOTA Portal for the course catalog and workshop availability.