COLUMBUS, Ohio) — Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost is bringing training to Ohio’s law enforcement officers through OPOTA Close to Home, a collaboration between the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy and five regional partners that will extend the reach of OPOTA-certified course offerings.
“There is a lot of change happening in law enforcement training right now, and we are working with experts to deliver the highest-quality training available,” said Yost, whose office oversees OPOTA. “Given that it is one of the toughest times to be in law enforcement, we owe it to our officers to provide course access and options that make sense.”
OPOTA Close to Home will also reduce costs for law enforcement agencies because they will not have to address as many staffing shortages and not have to pay for hotels while officers are away at training.
The initial five partners were chosen from a group of stellar applicants based on their location, space and ability to deliver the OPOTA-certified advanced training to Ohio’s 33,000 peace officers.
The training providers are:
- Lorain County Community College, Elyria
- Kent State University, Kent
- Clark State College, Springfield
- Hocking College, Nelsonville
- Great Oaks Career Campuses, Cincinnati
OPOTA’s main academy and Tactical Training Center in London will continue to provide advanced training.
There are now more ways than ever for Ohio law enforcement officers to obtain training, including the continuing professional training (CPT) required for 2022 (
see video):
- By registering in the new OPOTA Online platform and attending virtually
- By attending an in-person OPOTA class at a new OPOTA Close to Home location.
- By attending an existing academy that has had curriculum approved by OPOTA.
Course and registration information for all in-person classes, including those at the regional locations, is available on the
OPOTA Portal.
Improving the training of Ohio’s law enforcement officers has been a top priority of AG Yost’s since he took office in 2019, resulting in the launch of several new initiatives:
- In 2020, OPOTA’s training methods were redesigned to include expanded online courses, as well as more timely courses that help officers adapt to new scenarios.
- In 2021, the STAR Academy program was established to recognize basic training academies that meet a standard of excellence defined by a seven-member peer board.
- In 2022, AG Yost began implementation of CPT required of all law enforcement officers by year’s end. The General Assembly allocated $15 million – one of the largest investments in training in Ohio history – to help implement this critical program.
“These operational changes enhance the high-quality training officers need and Ohioans demand, and provide departments with cost-effective, convenient education,” Yost added.
“It’s a win for all of us.”
MEDIA CONTACT:
Luke Sullivan: 614-270-2662
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