Academy FAQs

How old do I have to be to enter the academy?

You must be 18 years of age however, most law enforcement agencies will not hire individuals until they have attained the age of 21.  Sheriff departments can commission officers at 18 years of age. Municipalities can not commission officers because of civil service laws.
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How can I guarantee a seat in the next academy?

We take applications on a first come first serve basis. The only applications that have preferential treatment are those which are commissioned. (Commissioned: individuals who are affiliated/hired by a law enforcement agency) If you attend this program as a non-commissioned officer and fail to gain employment with a law enforcement agency within a year of graduating, your Peace Officer academy training will expire and you will have to attend the Peace Officer academy a second time as mandated by the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission.
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How do I get commissioned?

You need to contact local law enforcement agencies and ascertain if they commission officers for the Peace Officer academy. If they do, you will need to fill out an application with that agency. (Even though you fill out their application, you must still fill out NC State’s Peace Officer Academy application).
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When will I be notified if I am accepted into the academy?

When returning your police academy application by the deadline you will receive a conditional letter of acceptance into the academy. You will then be required to attend a mandatory orientation meeting. Failure to attend the orientation meeting will result in removal from the academy class. Those who meet the requirements will be notified and registered for the police academy class at the orientation meeting.
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When and what is the orientation meeting?

This orientation meeting will occur approximately one month prior to the beginning of the academy and is designed to explain to the applicants, the rules and regulations of the Peace Officer academy. A pre-physical conditioning assessment will also be conducted during this orientation meeting. The physical assessment consists of the following: push-ups, sit-ups, and a 1.5 mile run.
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What if I fail the physical assessment?

Those not meeting the 15th percentile OPOTA Standards in push-us, sit-ups, and 1.5 mile run may be denied entry into the academy.

Male Fitness Standards

Age Range: <29
Sit-Ups (1 min.), 15%: 32
Sit-Ups (1 min.), 50%: 40
Push-Ups (1 min.), 15%: 19
Push-Ups (1 min.), 50%: 33
1.5 Mile Run, 15%: 14:34
1.5 Mile Run, 50%: 11:58
Age Range: 30-39
Sit-Ups (1 min.), 15%: 28
Sit-Ups (1 min.), 50%: 36
Push-Ups (1 min.), 15%: 15
Push-Ups (1 min.), 50%: 27
1.5 Mile Run, 15%: 15:13
1.5 Mile Run, 50%: 12:25
Age Range: 40-49
Sit-Ups (1 min.), 15%: 22
Sit-Ups (1 min.), 50%: 31
Push-Ups (1 min.), 15%: 10
Push-Ups (1 min.), 50%: 21
1.5 Mile Run, 15%: 15:58
1.5 Mile Run, 50%: 13:11
Age Range: 50-59
Sit-Ups (1 min.), 15%: 17
Sit-Ups (1 min.), 50%: 26
Push-Ups (1 min.), 15%: 7
Push-Ups (1 min.), 50%: 15
1.5 Mile Run, 15%: 17:38
1.5 Mile Run, 50%: 14:16
Age Range: 60+
Sit-Ups (1 min.), 15%: 13
Sit-Ups (1 min.), 50%: 20
Push-Ups (1 min.), 15%: 5
Push-Ups (1 min.), 50%: 12
1.5 Mile Run, 15%: 20:12
1.5 Mile Run, 50%: 15:56

Female Fitness Standards

Age Range: <29
Sit-Ups (1 min.), 15%: 23
Sit-Ups (1 min.), 50%: 35
Push-Ups (1 min.), 15%: 9
Push-Ups (1 min.), 50%: 18
1.5 Mile Run, 15%: 17:49
1.5 Mile Run, 50%: 14:07
Age Range: 30-39
Sit-Ups (1 min.), 15%: 18
Sit-Ups (1 min.), 50%: 27
Push-Ups (1 min.), 15%: 7
Push-Ups (1 min.), 50%: 14
1.5 Mile Run, 15%: 18:37
1.5 Mile Run, 50%: 14:34
Age Range: 40-49
Sit-Ups (1 min.), 15%: 13
Sit-Ups (1 min.), 50%: 22
Push-Ups (1 min.), 15%: 5
Push-Ups (1 min.), 50%: 11
1.5 Mile Run, 15%: 19:32
1.5 Mile Run, 50%: 15:24
Age Range: 50-59
Sit-Ups (1 min.), 15%: 7
Sit-Ups (1 min.), 50%: 17
Push-Ups (1 min.), 15%: 4 (modified)
Push-Ups (1 min.), 50%: 13 (modified)
1.5 Mile Run, 15%: 21:31
1.5 Mile Run, 50%: 17:13
Age Range: 60+
Sit-Ups (1 min.), 15%: 2
Sit-Ups (1 min.), 50%: 8
Push-Ups (1 min.), 15%: 1 (modified)
Push-Ups (1 min.), 50%: 8 (modified)
1.5 Mile Run, 15%: 23:32
1.5 Mile Run, 50%: 18:52
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Is the academy difficult to pass?

Yes and no. We pride ourselves in being one of the best academies in the State of Ohio. Our training standards are demanding and our rules and regulations are strict. However, if you really want to become a Peace Officer, you can make it!
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What type of weapon do I need for the academy?

No purchase of weapon is required. Only College owned firearms are permitted to be used during the academy period.
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I have never shot a gun before, should I go out and start practicing?

ABSOLUTELY NOT! Most of our best shooters have never fired a weapon before entering the Peace Officer academy. It is better to be trained properly the first time around rather than on your own where you become more apt to establish bad habits.
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I have been convicted of a felony but have had my record expunged or sealed, can I still get in?

More than likely you will not be able to attend. Even though your record is sealed or expunged, those records can be unsealed by OPOTA, the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission.
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I was charged with Domestic Violence but the charge was reduced to disorderly conduct, can I still get in?

No. Any domestic violence charge that is reduced is still considered a domestic violence offense. The only exception is if the domestic violence charge was dropped completely.
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What are the hours of the Peace Officer academy?

NC State will have two options for cadets beginning Fall 2021 — part-time and full-time academies.

The part-time academy will only be available as a night academy. It will run Monday thru Thursday from 6pm to 10pm and Saturdays from 8am-5pm.  Two full weekends are required, 1 weekend will be for the Driving Skills and 1 weekend will be for Field Sobriety Testing (live drinkers).  The part-time academy will start the third week in August and graduate the first week in May.

A new, full-time day academy will be available Monday thru Friday from 8am to 5pm. Two full weekends are also required to complete the day academy, 1 weekend will be for the Driving skills and 1 weekend will be for Field Sobriety Testing (live drinkers).  The full-time Day academy will start the fourth week of August and graduate the third week in January.

Please submit the Police Academy Interest Form and include which academy you are interested in attending.

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