Ohio’s new human trafficking law requires peace officers to receive basic and advanced training in handling human trafficking violations.
To help law enforcement agencies satisfy the requirement, the Attorney General’s Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy offers courses that assist officers in identifying the crime, recognizing and protecting the rights of victims, and collaborating with non-governmental and social service organizations to help victims.
Two options — classroom-based training and online courses — are available, and both approaches satisfy the law’s mandate.
Scheduled classroom-based training dates and locations are:
Sept. 6, Course 02-187-12-03, London OPOTA campus
Sept. 17, Course 02-187-12-05, Columbus Police Academy
Sept. 20, Course 02-187-12-06, Cincinnati Police Academy
Sept. 24, Course 02-187-12-07, Owens Community College, Perrysburg
Sept. 28, Course 52-187-12-01, Richfield OPOTA campus
Dec. 6, Course 02-187-12-04, London OPOTA campus
Law enforcement also may take advantage of online courses available through eOPOTA, accessible through the Ohio Law Enforcement Gateway. Awareness of Human Trafficking and Responding to Human Trafficking may be taken at officers’ convenience. A third eOPOTA course highlighting aspects of the new law is in development. Successful completion of all three online courses will fulfill the mandated training requirement.
For more information on these courses, visit www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov/OPOTA or www.OHLEG.org/eOPOTA , or send an e-mail to askOPOTA@OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov.