(COLUMBUS, Ohio) — Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost is encouraging providers of law enforcement basic training to raise the bar by applying for his new STAR Academy program, and the Akron Police Department’s Training Academy is the first to earn the certification.
“The Akron Police Department and Chief Steve Mylett are models of outstanding police work, and that starts with proper training,” Yost said. “The Akron academy has earned this designation by going above and beyond the minimum requirements to ensure that officers receive the best training available.”
The Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission licenses basic training academies throughout the state, requiring 737 total hours of training. Academies recognized by the STAR Program must meet at least a dozen extra criteria, which were established by a seven-member peer board. Among the extra measures, an academy is asked to:
- Ensure that 85% of cadets eligible to take the State Certification Exam pass it.
- Conduct periodic academic assessments – no fewer than four – to gauge the cadet’s retention of student performance objectives.
- Provide training above minimum hours in three or more high-risk topics, for at least 15 cumulative hours.
- Maintain or pursue the use of tech training/exposure for students, such as body cameras.
Such extra measures help better prepare officers, making them even more effective in serving and protecting their communities.
As part of the application process, the Akron Police Department’s Training Academy completed a rigorous review of its policies and methods, conducted by the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy.
“The City of Akron and the Akron Police Department are proud to receive this prestigious designation. Our training staff has worked hard to meet the challenge set forth by Attorney General Yost and to take our training program to the next level,” said Akron Police Chief Steve Mylett.
All Ohio academies that provide basic training can request to be certified by AG Yost as a STAR Academy.
Those interested should send inquiries to
AskOPOTA@OhioAGO.gov.
"Our goal is that every officer in Ohio completes an academy that meets the ‘gold star’ standard,” Yost said.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Luke Sullivan: 614-270-2662
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