TWINSBURG, Ohio — Kent State University is aiming to help the ongoing officer shortage by expanding their police academy with the opening of an additional location in Twinsburg this fall.
“This is a great time to expand our training opportunities in Northeast Ohio,” said Jim Willock, director of the Kent State Police Academy. “Because of the dire need, departments are doing whatever they can to fill positions. The career opportunities, pay and incentives offered to cadets today were unheard of when I started in the 1990s.”
According to Willock, the expansion of Kent State's Basic Peace Officer Training Academy will offer even more opportunities for new cadets to secure jobs by the end of their training. He says the potential starting salary for most cadets is upwards of $70,000 per year and that some new hires may be reimbursed for their tuition depending on if their hiring departments offer that perk.
Classes will begin on August 19 at Kent State's Trumbull Campus in Warren and the Twinsburg location at 1612 Enterprise Parkway, near Kent State's Twinsburg Academic Center.
The deadline to apply for the fall semester classes is July 1. These classes require a physical training test which is due by July 11. Spring classes are set to begin on January 13, 2025.
“We need good officers,” Willock said. “We hope that with a second location, we can double our efforts to help departments fill these positions.”
Kent State University reminds candidates that to become a police officer in Ohio, the following requirements must be met:
- Must have a high school diploma or GED
- Possess a valid Ohio driver's license
- Have no felony convictions (including felony convictions that have been sealed or expunged)
- Pass a drug screen, background check and physical fitness standards
For more information, visit Kent State Police Academy's official website or call 330-675-7666.
Click HERE to apply for classes.
More Headlines on WKYC.com:
Want to be among the first to know the most important local and national news? Download the free WKYC app and get updates right on your phone: Android, Apple.