SouthernOhioPoliceTrainingInstituteOhioUniversity–Chillicothe

CandidateInformationPacket

NowEnrollingfor2018SOPTIAcademy

Ifinterestedinenrollinginthe2018SOPTIAcademyClass,pleasecontactCommanderTerriMikeshat:mikesh@ohio.edu

or740-774-7286

OHIOUNIVERSITY-CHILLICOTHE

WhatistheSouthernOhioPoliceTrainingInstitute?TheSouthernOhioPoliceTrainingInstitute(SOPTI)isaBasicPeaceOfficerTrainingAcademyofferedthroughtheOhioUniversity–ChillicotheContinuingEducationprogram.SOPTIprovidesthecadetwiththefundamentalsnecessaryforseekingcertificationandemploymentasapeaceofficer,andisconductedinstrictcompliancetoallrulesandregulationsprescribedbytheOhioPeaceOfficerTrainingCommission(OPOTC).CadetsmustmeetallrequirementssetforthbySOPTIandtheOPOTCtoenroll,graduate,qualifyforthestatecertificationexam,andultimatelybecomecertifiedasapeaceofficerinthestateofOhio.SOPTIutilizesover25OPOTCcertifiedinstructors,allwithextensiveexperienceinlawenforcement,whoaretrulydedicatedtodevelopingourfutureofficers.SOPTItrainingissomewhatparamilitary.Professionalism,discipline,integrity,andresponsibilityaresomeoftheprinciplesstressedduringtheacademy.Whenwillthe2018SOPTIAcademyStart?OhioUniversity–Chillicotheisplanningtostartthe2018SOPTIAcademyonApril2,2018.EligibilityRequirementsApplicantsinterestedinthePeaceOfficerBasicTrainingcoursemayenrollasan“OpenEnrollment”student,asan“Appointed”student,orasa“PriorEquivalent”student.“OpenEnrollment”studentsarethosewhoarenotalreadyemployedbyalawenforcementagency.“Appointed”studentsarealreadyswornandemployedbyalawenforcementagency.“PriorEquivalent”studentsarethosewhohavepreviouslybeencertifiedaspeaceofficers.“Appointed”and“PriorEquivalent”studentsshouldseeCommanderMikeshforspecificenrollmentrequirements.Thegeneralrequirementsfor“OpenEnrollment”studentsinSOPTIinclude:

• 20-1/2yearsofageorolder(thismayvaryslightly)• HighSchoolorGeneralEquivalencyDiploma(GED)fromanaccreditedschool• Validdriver’slicense• InterviewwithCommanderMikesh• Passrequiredmedicalexamination• Passrequireddrugscreen• PassOPOTCpre-physicalfitnesstest• Passbackgroundcheck• CompletionofallrequiredOPOTCandOhioUniversity–Chillicothepaperwork• Paymentof$500non-refundabledeposit–dueby2/26/18

OHIOUNIVERSITY-CHILLICOTHE

Enrollmentislimited.Thefirst24approvedapplicantswhocompletealloftheaboverequirementswillbeenrolledinthe2018SOPTIAcademy.Candidateswhocompletealloftheaboverequirements,butarenotoneofthefirst24approvedapplicants,willbeputonawaitinglistandwillbeconsideredfor2018academyonafirst-comefirst-servebasisifopeningsoccur.Ifacandidateisonthewaitinglistandanopeningdoesnotbecomeavailable,the$500depositwillbereturned.Allapplicantswillberequiredtosubmittoacriminalbackgroundcheck,includingfingerprinting.Anyapplicantwithafelonyrecordorotherdisqualifyingoffenses/convictionswillnotbeadmitted.Anyapplicantwhohasbeenchargedwithorconvictedofdomesticviolenceoranydrugoffensemustprovidecourtdocumentationshowingtheyarepermittedtohavefirearms.OPOTCwillcarefullyreviewallcriminalrecordsbeforeallowingthecommandertoacceptanapplicantforenrollment.InterviewandApplicationProcessDetailsCommanderMikeshwillscheduleaninterviewwitheachapplicant,startingDecember5,2017.Pleasebringyourdriver’slicense,socialsecuritycard,highschool/GEDdiplomaandhealthinsurancecardtotheinterview.Duringtheinterview,CommanderMikeshwillprovideformsandspecificinformationregardingtherequiredmedicalexamination,drugscreen,backgroundcheck,pre-physicalfitnesstestandtestdates,enrollmentdeadlines,anddepositprocess.IfyouhavequestionsaboutSOPTIand/ortheenrollmentprocess,pleasefeelfreetocontactCommanderMikeshatmikesh@ohio.eduor740-774-7286.Pre-PhysicalFitnessTestingandPhysicalFitnessRequirementsToqualifyforenrollment,OPOTCisrequiringallapplicantstopassapre-physicalfitnesstestconsistingofatimed1-1/2milerun,maximumpush-upsinoneminuteandmaximumsit-upsinoneminute.AlltestsmustbeperformedperOPOTCstandards(asshownbyCommanderMikesh)andallthreetestsmustbepassedduringasingletestingsessiontoqualify.Forpurposesofthepre-physicalfitnesstest,applicantsmustmeetorexceedthe15thpercentile,accordingtoCooperStandardsforyourageandgender,onallthreecomponentsofthetest.Achartshowingphysicalfitnessrequirementsforenrollment(15thpercentile)andgraduation(50thpercentile–givenwithinthelasttwoweeksoftheacademy)isshownonthenextpage.Thefirstpre-physicalfitnesstestingsessionisscheduledforlateafternoon/earlyeveningonSunday,January7,2018.Aspecificstarttimewillbeprovidedatyourinterview.Thetestinglocationwilldependonweather,butapplicantswillmeetintheSOPTIclassroom.AcompletedOPOTCMedicalExamform,clearingtheapplicantforparticipation,andasignedliabilityformmustbereceivedpriortoanapplicantbeingscheduledforthepre-physicalfitnesstest.Applicantswhodonotpasstheirinitialpre-physicalfitnesstestmayretestonalaterdate.

OHIOUNIVERSITY-CHILLICOTHE

15% Males (<29)

50%

Females (<29)

15% 50%

Sit-ups (1 min.) 32 40 23 35 Push-ups (1 min.)

1.5 Mile Run 19

14:34 33

11:58 9

17:49 18

14:07

Males (30-39)

Females (30-39) 15% 50% 15% 50%

Sit-ups (1 min.) 28 36 18 27 Push-ups (1 min.) 15 27 7 14

1.5 Mile Run 15:13 12:25 18:37 14:34

Males (40-49)

Females (40-49) 15% 50% 15% 50%

Sit-ups (1 min.) 22 31 13 22 Push-ups (1 min.) 10 21 5 11

1.5 Mile Run 15:58 13:11 19:32 15:24 Males (50-59) Females (50-59) 15% 50% 15% 50%

Sit-ups (1 min.) 17 26 7 17 Push-ups (1 min.) 7 15 4 (modified) 13 (modified)

1.5 Mile Run 17:38 14:16 21:31 17:13 Males (60+) Female s (60+)

15% 50% 15% 50% Sit-ups (1 min.) 13 20 2 8

Push-ups (1 min.) 5 15 1 (modified) 8 (modified) 1.5 Mile Run 20:12 15:56 23:32 18:52

OPOTCCurriculumTheOPOTCcurriculumfor2018is711hoursinlengthandisdividedintothefollowing13unitsofinstruction:Administration,Legal,HumanRelations,Firearms,Driving,SubjectControl,FirstAid,Patrol,CivilDisorders,Traffic,Investigation,PhysicalFitnessandConditioning,andHomelandSecurity.Upto30additionalhoursmaybeaddedtotherequiredcurriculum.Eachunitofinstructioniscomprisedofseveralrelatedtopics.Althoughmanytopicsarepresentedasblockofinstruction,othersarespreadovertheentiretrainingcourse.Cadetsareprovidedwithacombinationofclassroomlearningandhands-onpracticalskillstrainingandexercises.Eachtopichasspecificstudentperformanceobjectives(SPOs),whicharethebasisforacademyexams,practicalexercisesandskillstesting,andthestatecertificationexam.

OHIOUNIVERSITY-CHILLICOTHE

Atthebeginningoftheacademy,eachcadetwillbeissuedanelectronicversionoftheOPOTCcurriculum.Notebookswithhandouts,practiceexercises,andvariousmanualswillalsobeprovidedforcadets.Cadetswillberequiredtotakenotesduringclassandwillneedaccesstoacomputerathomeforin-depthstudyofthecurriculumandmaterialsprovided.CourseCalendarandAttendanceRequirementsThe2018SOPTIAcademyistentativelyscheduledtostartonApril2,2017.SOPTIclassesgenerallymeetfrom5:30pm–10:30pmonweeknights,and8:00am–5:00pmonsomeweekends.Cadetsnormallyhavetwodaysoffeachweek.Atthebeginningoftheacademy,cadetsareprovidedwithatentativecoursecalendarforentiretrainingprogram.Attendanceismandatoryineveryminuteofeveryclass.Nocadetwhomissesanytraininghourswillbeeligibletotakethestatecertificationexam.Tardinessisnotacceptable.Writtenexplanationofallabsencesandtardinesswillbeprovidedtothecommanderbythecadet.Unexcusedabsencesmayresultindismissalfromtheacademy.AllmissedhoursmustbemadeupperOPOTCrequirements.Additionalfeeswillbechargedtothecadetforinstructor(s)wagesduringmake-upclasses.UniformsUniformsarerequiredandareprovidedbySOPTI.Thefollowinguniformitemswillbeissuedtoeachcadet:oneSOPTIballcap,twodarknavyperformancepoloshirts,twopairofkhakiBDUpants,onetrouserbelt,andoneSOPTIt-shirt.SOPTIt-shirtsarewornasadress-downshirtduringFirearms,SubjectControlTechniques,andPhysicalFitness&Conditioning.Cadetswhoareagency-appointedmayweartheSOPTIuniformortheiragencyuniform.Ballisticvestsarerequiredandwillbeprovided(loaned)forallcadetswhodonotalreadyownone.Eachcadetwillneedtoprovidetheirownround-toeblackleatherlawenforcement-styleboots,whitecrew-neckt-shirts,blacksocks,andrunningshoes.Appropriatesweatpants,sweatshirts,andshortsareacceptableduringPhysicalFitness&Conditioning.Sleevelessshirtsandtank-topsarenotpermitted.SOPTIsweatsandadditionalt-shirtsareavailableforpurchase.Cadetswillalsoneedtoprovidetheirowndutybeltandassociatedaccessoriestoinclude:weaponholster,handcuffcase,doublemagazinepouch,flashlightring/pouch,flashlight,andbeltkeepers.Specificinformationandexamplesoftheseitemswillbeprovidedatorientation,andtheseitemsdonotneedtobepurchaseduntilafterorientation.

OHIOUNIVERSITY-CHILLICOTHE

FirearmsCadetsarerequiredtoprovidetheirownhandgun(standardlawenforcementcaliberweaponssuchas9mm,.40caliber,.45caliber)andrelateditemsforFirearmstraining.WeaponsfromColt,Smith&Wesson,Ruger,Glock,Beretta,SIG-Sauer,andHecklerSiKockaregoodchoices.Cheap,off-brandorobscureforeignweaponsarestronglydiscouraged.Afirearmwillnotbeneededatthestartoftheacademy,andFirearmsinstructorswillbeavailableduringearlyweeksoftheacademytoanswercadets’questionsaboutfirearmsselection.Cadetswillneedtosupply1500roundsofapprovedammunitionfortheirhandgun.Thecadetmayprovideadditionalhandgunroundstoshootastimepermits.Thecadetalsomayberequiredtoprovideadditionalhandgunroundsifhe/sherequiresremedialtraining.Cadetswillbeinstructedonsafehandlingandpropertransportationoffirearms,andwillbetoldinadvancewhenfirearmsarerequiredforclass.NoloadedfirearmsarepermittedonOhioUniversitygrounds…..NOEXCEPTIONS!ClassroomEachdaybeginswithrollcall(attendance),whichistakeninformation,followedbythePledgeofAllegiance.Classroomdecorumwillbeprofessionalandrespectfulatalltimes.Participationinclassroomdiscussionandactivitiesisexpectedandenhancesthelearningexperienceforall.Normalclasssessionsrunfor50minutes,witha10-minutebreakeachhour.Cadetswillbeintroducedtoandutilizearankstructure.CadetsarerequiredtobeneatandcleaninappearanceandadheretoSOPTIhairandgroomingstandards.ClassOfficersTeamworkisanessentialelementofsuccessfulandeffectivelawenforcement.Theleadershipinanyteamultimatelydeterminesiftheteamissuccessful.Everyeffortwillbemadetoprovideleadershipopportunitiesforallclassmembers.NotebooksCadetsarerequiredtotakenotesduringclasslecturesandmaintainnotebookscoveringthecoursematerials.Thenotebooksarereviewedbythecommanderduringthecourseandaregradedatthecompletionoftraining.Thisgradebecomespartofthecadet’spersonalfileandisincludedincalculationofthetotalacademicgrade.Thesenotebooksalsobecomeavaluableresourceoncethecadetbecomesacertifiedpeaceofficer.ApassingnotebookscoreisalsorequiredbyOPOTCbeforeacadetisallowedtotakethestatecertificationexam.

OHIOUNIVERSITY-CHILLICOTHE

ExamsWrittenexaminationswillbegivenperiodicallythroughouttheacademy,andcadetsmustmaintainanaverageexamscoreof70%orabove.CadetswillalsoberequiredtopasspracticalskilltestsintopicssuchasDriving,Firearms,SubjectControlTechniques,Stops&Approaches,PhysicalFitness&Conditioning,andFirstAid/CPR/AED.Atthecompletionoftheacademy,cadetswillberequiredtopassa200questionfinalstaffexamination,coveringallmaterialpresentedthroughouttheacademybystaffinstructors.Ascoreof70%orhigherisrequiredonthisexaminationforthecadettograduatefromtheacademy.StateCertificationExamThestatecertificationexamisscheduledandadministeredbyOPOTCtestingproctorsattheOhioPeaceOfficerTrainingAcademyabouttwoweeksaftertheendoftheacademy.Ascoreof70%orhigherisrequiredonthis200-question,multiple-choiceexam.Oneretestifallowedifthecadetdoesnotpasstheexamonhis/herfirstattempt.Ifacadetdoesnotpasstheretest,he/shemustrepeattheentireacademytobecomeeligibletotakeanotherstatecertificationexam.GraduationAttheculminationoftheacademy,agraduationceremonyandreceptionisheldtohonorthegraduates.Cadetsareencouragedtoinvitegueststothisevent.Specialawardsandrecognitionwillbepresentedtocadetsforperfectattendance,topacademicscore,topgun,topdriver,andtheCommander’sAward.CollegeCreditsSOPTIisacertificateprogram,socollegecreditsarenotearnedduringtheacademy.However,SOPTIgraduateswhopassthestatecertificationexamareeligibletoapplythroughtheOhioUniversityExperientialLearningProgramandpresentaportfoliotoearnupto17semesterhourcreditstowardanAssociate’sDegreeinLawEnforcementTechnology.FinancialAidSinceSOPTIisacertificationprogram,ratherthananacademicdegreeprogram,traditionalstudentfinancialaidprogramsarenotavailableforSOPTI.Loansforcertificationprogramsareavailablethroughsomelendinginstitutions.

OHIOUNIVERSITY-CHILLICOTHE

MilitaryEducationalBenefits/VABenefitsIn2017,SOPTIbecameanapprovedprogramtoalloweligibleveteransandcurrentmilitaryservicememberstoutilizemilitaryeducationalbenefitswhileattendingSOPTI.ApplicantswhohavepriormilitaryserviceorarecurrentlyenlistedshouldcontactCommanderMikeshimmediatelyforfurtherinformation.TuitionandCosts

• AcademyTuition/LabFee-$5100Total(includes$5050tuition/$50labfee)o PaymentPlanAvailable

§ $500tuitionpayment(alsoservesasnon-refundabledeposit)dueon2/26/18

§ $2100-2ndpaymentby5/4/18§ $2000-3rdpaymentby7/2/18§ $500.00paymentduepriortoFinalPhysicalTraining

Assessment

• PossiblefeesfromlawenforcementagenciesprovidingNationalWebcheckFingerprintingservices

• FeesforMedicalExamandDrugScreen

• 1500rounds(minimum)ofapprovedhandgunammunitionforFirearmstraining

• Cadetequipmentasspecifiedinthisdocument

• Sharedcostin“optionaladditional”traininginTaserandO/CAgents.This

traininginTaserandO/CAgentsisnotrequiredbyOPOTC.Questions?Ifyouhaveanyquestions,pleasefeelfreetocontactCommanderTerriMikeshatmikesh@ohio.eduor740-774-7286.