On the Job 

Throughout Ohio in 2022, law enforcement officers will be taking additional training to better protect themselves and the public.

Effective police training requires a solid plan and money.

Thanks to an allocation last year by the legislature, this year Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and his team at the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy (OPOTA) are implementing a $15 million program in Continuing Professional Training (CPT). The extra training is mandated for 33,000+ law enforcement officers (LEOs) in Ohio, including police officers, deputies, troopers, auxiliary officers and others.

“Policing has always evolved in response to changes in society’s resources, norms, needs and expectations,” AG Yost said. “We’re excited about the program we’re introducing in Ohio. And we’re excited about improving safety for our officers and the public.”

By the end of 2022, every LEO is required to complete 24 hours of training in the following areas:
Four hours must deal with diversity, inclusion and equity.

Twelve hours must come from any three of the following areas: responding to mental health events; use of force; legal updates; officer personal wellness; responding to sexual assaults; and domestic violence.

The remaining eight hours must come from the leftover categories from the list just mentioned or from standards set by the Ohio Collaborative Community-Police Advisory Board. (For additional details, visit www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov/CPT.)

The funding, believed to be the single-largest investment in CPT in state history, will help Ohio’s peace officers better serve their respective communities. And the priority placed on training reinforces the integral role that law enforcement plays in any civil society.

In response to suggestions that many law enforcement agencies had for OPOTA, the 2022 training includes options closer to officers’ homes and workplaces — namely, regional course offerings and online classes. Likewise, OPOTA has worked hard to improve the training quality. The revamped approach compels officer interaction and is responsive to timely issues that surface out on the streets.

Separately from the courses related to the CPT requirements, OPOTA has launched a series of “Roll Call Refreshers.” Offered through OPOTA Online, these virtual pop-up classes are intended as supplemental education, offering guidance on how to handle situations that might bubble up in communities. 

In December, for example, OPOTA introduced a training on hate crimes after FBI statistics detailed a 63% increase in reports of such crimes in 2019. The Roll Call Refresher focused on how officers can recognize a hate crime, options in pursuing charges against any potential suspects, and reporting requirements.

To access this supplemental training, log in to OPOTA Online, click on “Catalog,” then click on “Roll Call Refreshers.” 

Questions about CPT or Roll Call Refreshers? Email them to askOPOTA@OhioAGO.gov.