Cleveland Making It Easier for Lateral Transfers to Join Force

Now, if an applicant already has their OPOTA certification, they will go through an abbreviated academy with Cleveland PD. This abbreviated academy will only be about 12 to 14 weeks, as opposed to 7 months.

For the first time in the Cleveland Police Department's history, they are considering the experience applicants gained through another academy in Ohio when putting them through their own academy.

To be a police officer in Ohio, you must have an OPOTA certification; Ohio Peace Officers Academy. Prior to the latest change, even if someone had their OPOTA certification and they were applying for a job with Cleveland PD, they had to complete the entire academy.

Now, if an applicant already has their OPOTA certification, they will go through an abbreviated academy with Cleveland PD. This abbreviated academy will only be about 12 to 14 weeks, as opposed to 7 months. It is a change the department thinks will be appealing to applicants that have already gone through an academy.

You can learn more about the recruitment and application process on the City of Cleveland's website, here.

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