Student Success Stories

The Tri-C Private Security Academy has a unique employment factor for its OPOTC-certified students who successfully complete the academy. Students have obtained career opportunities in the private security field with organizations such as:

• Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Dept. (Corrections Officer and Security Officer)
• University Hospitals
• Cleveland Public Library
• Hilton Worldwide
• JACK Cleveland Casino
• Cleveland Metropolitan School District
• Baldwin Wallace University

Student Success Stories

Jason Harte, 2014 graduate
Employed: Cleveland Metropolitan School District

Q: What was the BEST part of the Private Security Academy?
A: “I think the best part for me is a toss-up between everything I learned and the few awesome friendships I obtained.”

Q: What advice would you give to someone who is going to enter the Private Security Academy to help them succeed?
A: “The best advice I can give is to pay attention. Do what is asked of you and do what you are told. The things you are going to learn are lessons for a career, but they roll over into everyday life as well. It was a long, sometimes strenuous four months, but when you make it through, you are a different person. You will develop skills. But you will also develop friendships that will last long beyond the academy.”

Kirknnie Gleason, 2013 graduate
Employed: Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Department

Q: What advice would you give to someone who is going to enter the Private Security Academy to help them succeed?
A: “My advice for anyone going into the academy would be to just enjoy your experience. If you pay attention to what the instructors tell you, it will stick with you when you start working in this field and it will be a lot easier. Also, hearing about situations and how they were handled by people who've been there first hand (your instructors), give you a good idea on how you should handle the same situation”

William Green, 2015 graduate
Employed: Hilton Worldwide

Q: Which topic had the biggest impact on your academy experience?
A: “Handguns...not for the reason you'd expect. We were all supporting each other and cheering for each other.”

Q: What is the one lesson or thing that you’ve learned in the academy that has helped you in your job as a security officer?

A: “Subject control was the most helpful for my job at the time, but I found nearly everything valuable in my career.”

Q: What was the BEST part of the Private Security Academy?
A: “The confidence the training gave me in the field.”

Q: What advice would you give to someone who is going to enter the Private Security Academy, to help them succeed?
A: “Pay attention, don't miss any classes, and take the course seriously.”

Brittany Chappell, 2016 graduate
Employed: Public Safety Officer at Baldwin Wallace University

Q: What was the best part of the Private Security Academy?
A: “Meeting so many new people and going from being strangers to becoming a team and working together as a unit to ensure that if one fell we all fell or if one was stronger, their strength carried the entire team.”

Q: Describe some of your job duties that your private security training helped you prepare to accomplish:
A: “Report writing, customer service, handcuffing and the confidence to know what to do when faced with a possible issue. Gaining respect and understanding how to address your superiors. The importance of grooming and a nice, clean uniform.”