Basic Police Academy

• Full-time day (24-week) or part-time evening (36-week) academies available
• Offered at Tri-C’s Western Campus
• More than 700 contact hours
• Lectures, hands-on training, scenario-based and group participation
• Prepares you for the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission (OPOTC) exam
• State-of-the-art law enforcement training facility includes onsite range
• Financial aid available to eligible students
• 24 credit hours can be applied toward an Associate of Applied Science degree in Criminal Justice with concentration in Basic Police Academy

• High school diploma or GED
• 18 years or older at time of acceptance (21 years recommended)*  
• Mandatory attendance for duration of the academy (per OPOTC regulation). Missed classes must be made up within 14 days at the discretion of the commander.
• U.S. citizen
• Valid Ohio driver’s license with full driving privileges
• In good health as documented by physical exam signed by a licensed physician
• Successfully pass a nine-panel drug screen and background check
• Successfully pass Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA)
• No criminal history**

*There is no age requirement; however, potential cadets should understand the unlikelihood of being hired/sworn (offered a commission) with a police department until 21 years of age or older. The College also requires that all firearms be transported to and from the range by someone of at least 21 years of age. The following OPOTC standards are in place and apply to all graduates of the Police Academy, regardless of age:

• The individual has one year after taking and passing the OPOTC State Certification Exam (SCE) to obtain a commission without having to take any further classes.
• If hired after the one-year anniversary of passing the SCE, the individual must have enough time to finish any new OPOTC requirements before the second year anniversary date of the SCE. If the deadline is not met, the individual must repeat the entire OPOTC Basic Police Academy.
• If any individual does not receive a commission by the second year anniversary of having passed the SCE, they must successfully repeat the entire OPOTC Basic Police Academy.

 ** Any felony conviction (including any arrests or convictions expunged or sealed by the court) and certain misdemeanor convictions (including domestic violence and drug possession) may prohibit you from entering the academy. In addition, any crime reduction or plea agreement/bargain in which the original charge was domestic violence will prohibit you from entering the academy. A full list of disqualifiers can be found in the Ohio Administration Code section 109:2-1-03.

• Cuyahoga County residents: $5,995.00*
• Out-of-county residents: $6,703.96*

Tuition includes:

• Cost of 24 academic credit hours (based on residency) plus, academy noncredit fee
• Blackboard access to OPOTC (Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission) classroom materials and handouts
• Standard American Heart Association or Red Cross First Aid/CPR certification
• Academy Polo and Physical Conditioning Uniform
• Optional use of duty gear and firearms. Cadets wishing to purchase their own firearm must purchase a 9mm Glock, Model 17 or 19. Personal handguns and ammunition must be inspected and approved by range master. Firearms should not be purchased until instructed by academy staff.
• Cost for one (1) attempt to pass State Certification Exam (second attempt, if needed is $95)

Additional fees not covered in above costs:

• Non-refundable Physical Fitness Assessment Fee** (due at time of assessment): $25
• Technology fee for full-time students (two semesters): $140
• Pre-entrance drug screen (paid directly to screen agency): $40
• Pre-entrance physical exam (paid directly to medical provider): Cost varies
• Required uniform pants: Approximately $25 per pair
• Ammunition for handgun and shotgun: Approximately $345
• Cost of make-up: $60/hour

View cost of attendance information for Academic Year 2024-2025

*Tuition or fees subject to change without notice.

**Keep in mind that a Physical Agility Test taken at Tri-C does NOT meet the Physical Fitness Assessment requirement.

Forms must be completed during a certain time frame per the State. Forms completed prior to that time frame will not be accepted by the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission per their regulations.

View all details in the application process. You must complete all the actions to be accepted into the Basic Police Academy. There is no specific order that the actions must be completed. We encourage applicants to work on all actions simultaneously. 

Deadline to complete and submit all requirements for Fall 2025 academy is TBD.
Seats are filled in a first come, first serve process.

Passing the Tri-C Police Academy Physical Fitness Assessment can be challenging. To get you ready for the test, we offer up to 12 sessions of physical training.

Click here for more information!

Tri-C offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Basic Police Academy. For more information on the associate degree program, contact jimi.gonzalez@tri-c.edu or call 216-987-5113.