Lead With Integrity. Protect With Purpose.
Uphold the law while fostering trust and safety in your community.
Founded in 1970, the Owens Basic Peace Officer Training Academy is Ohio’s premier open training academy among community colleges, holding a 99.4% completion rate. Agencies nationwide actively recruit our graduates.
Owens’ Professional Law Enforcement Certificate will train you to thrive on the front lines of public safety. Police officers are the first responders who maintain public safety, investigate crimes, enforce laws and build community trust through daily interactions with citizens. This demanding yet rewarding profession requires physical fitness, mental toughness and the ability to make critical decisions that protect lives and uphold justice. A law enforcement officer’s work is more than a job—it’s a calling to serve, protect and lead when your community needs you most.
Essential qualities for serving:
- Integrity: Uphold the law with fairness and honesty.
- Communication: Build trust, listen effectively and de-escalate conflicts.
- Resilience: Stay focused and effective under pressure.
Small Classes. Expert Guidance.
Our instructors are experts who take pride in your success. Combined with our small class sizes, you’ll get one-on-one mentorship and precise technical feedback tailored to your goals.
Award Type
Technical Certificate
Department
Department of Criminal Justice
Required Credit Hours
30
Tangible Results
99.4 %
Completion rate for enrolled cadets—one of the most successful programs in Ohio
2
Semesters—full-time Basic Peace Officer Academy training
43
Criminal Justice/Police Science certificates awarded each year
Prepare to Take the Call
Use this focused certificate program as a stand-alone credential or combine it with additional criminal justice courses. The Ohio Peace Officer Basic Training Academy is state mandated for all Ohio law enforcement officers. Specific prerequisites must be completed before entering the academy portion—please contact your program advisor to discuss requirements.
We develop future leaders into peace officers, armed with the knowledge and tactical skills to protect and serve. You’ll train in essential law enforcement procedures, including patrol operations, firearms, defensive tactics, criminal investigation and the operation of high-tech equipment. You’ll also learn to read crime scenes, write comprehensive reports and handle any situation with confidence.
Career Outcomes
Graduate with a certificate that prepares you for careers in law enforcement and community policing. Upon graduation, you’ll be eligible to sit for the Ohio Peace Officer Certification Exam, qualifying you for immediate employment in the field.
Step into roles as a police officer, sheriff’s deputy or corrections professional with skills to respond to emergencies, enforce laws and protect lives. Career paths include county jails, detention facilities, probation and parole services. With additional experience and training, doors open to roles in federal agencies like the FBI, DEA or Homeland Security, plus specialized roles in forensic or criminal investigation.
Explore the employment data to understand trends in our area.
In Their Words
“I was encouraged to get into my field a lot more than I ever was before. I was able to get different experiences like ride-alongs with local law enforcement agencies to give me a better understanding of my future career.”
Kaylee Gonyer, Criminal Justice, ’25
Getting Started at Owens
Begin your high-quality education at an affordable price today!
Enrollment is easy—just fill out an online admissions application to get started. We’ll ask you to submit your transcripts for course placement and college credit.
Upon acceptance, schedule a meeting with your admissions advisor to register for classes. Next, attend an on-campus orientation and meet with your student financial services advisor to discuss ways to pay for college.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Ohio Attorney General – Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission (OPOTC). Accreditation is ongoing with unannounced on-site inspections by an OPOTC Field Representative. Complete on-site inspections are done every three years. The last full on-site inspection was conducted in February 2017.
For more information concerning accreditation standards, contact the Ohio Attorney General, 30 East Broad Street, 14th Floor, Columbus, Ohio, 43215, phone: (800) 282-0515 or (614) 466-4986, web: ohioattorneygeneral.gov.
Ohio Basic Peace Officer Training Academy (OPOTA) Interest Card
To be eligible for this program, you will be required to pass a physical fitness test, background/criminal history check, physical examination and drug screening.
Interest card application periods for the Toledo-area Campus:
- Spring Academy: July 1 – September 6
- Fall Academy: February 1 – April 30
Email or call us at (567) 661-7621 with any questions. Fill out our online interest card and we’ll send you more information.
Ohio Peace Officer Training Fitness Assessment Standards
You must achieve the minimum fitness assessment standards for your gender and age.
| Males (≤ 29) | Females (≤ 29) | ||||
| Exercise | Start | End | Exercise | Start | End |
| Situps (1 min.) | 32 | 40 | Situps (1 min.) | 23 | 25 |
| Pushups (1 min.) | 19 | 33 | Pushups (1 min.) | 9 | 18 |
| 1.5-mile run | 14:34 | 11:58 | 1.5-mile run | 17:49 | 14:07 |
| Males (30-39) | Females (30-39) | ||||
| Exercise | Start | End | Exercise | Start | End |
| Situps (1 min.) | 28 | 36 | Situps (1 min.) | 18 | 27 |
| Pushups (1 min.) | 15 | 27 | Pushups (1 min.) | 7 | 14 |
| 1.5-mile run | 15:13 | 12:25 | 1.5-mile run | 18:37 | 14:34 |
| Males (40-49) | Females (40-49) | ||||
| Exercise | Start | End | Exercise | Start | End |
| Situps (1 min.) | 22 | 31 | Situps (1 min.) | 13 | 22 |
| Pushups (1 min.) | 10 | 21 | Pushups (1 min.) | 5 | 11 |
| 1.5-mile run | 15:58 | 13:11 | 1.5-mile run | 19:32 | 15:24 |
| Males (50-59) | Females (50-59) | ||||
| Exercise | Start | End | Exercise | Start | End |
| Situps (1 min.) | 17 | 26 | Situps (1 min.) | 7 | 17 |
| Pushups (1 min.) | 7 | 15 | Pushups (1 min.) | 4* | 3* |
| 1.5-mile run | 17:38 | 14:16 | 1.5-mile run | 21:31 | 17:13 |
| Males (60+) | Females (60+) | ||||
| Exercise | Start | End | Exercise | Start | End |
| Situps (1 min.) | 13 | 20 | Situps (1 min.) | 2 | 8 |
| Pushups (1 min.) | 5 | 15 | Pushups (1 min.) | 1* | 8* |
| 1.5-mile run | 20:12 | 15:56 | 1.5-mile run | 23:32 | 18:52 |
*Modified form per OPOTC