Edison Community College...
Edison Graduates Complete Police Training 
June 12, 2012 

Edison Community College’s Peace Officer Academy welcomed 15 new graduates in May following their completion of the 19-week training program. 

Graduates of the program met for six days each week since January, totaling 620 hours of training. The curriculum of the program is certified by the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission (OPOTC) and covers all aspects of law enforcement training including administration, firearms, subject control and investigation. 

“The Basic Police Academy has proven to be a great partnership between the college and the community. Local law enforcement came to us because there was no local training source,” said Shirley Moore, Dean of Business and Workforce Development at Edison. “In turn, many of our graduates have become officers in our three county service area, though they are certified to seek an officer position anywhere in the state. Academy graduates can then continue their education at Edison and earn an associate’s degree by taking convenient classes on campus or online.” 

Edison offered the first Basic Peace Officer Academy in 2003 and the two classes that graduated this spring were from the twenty-second and twenty-third academies. Throughout its nine years, the program has graduated 324 students, 87 percent male and 13 percent female, with 73 percent under 30 and 14 students have been 40 or over. 

Students in the program have come from 13 different counties, with 51 percent from Miami County; 20 percent from Darke County; 15 percent from Shelby County. Over the years, 79 percent of the Edison graduates who passed the state exam have become sworn officers in 47 different police agencies in the state 

Edison began the basic peace officer academy at the request of local law enforcement and continue to have instructors who are current and retired officers. Thirty-five instructors worked with the current graduates. 

The next academies will begin July 30 and application packets are due June 21. Interested students must be 21 years old and eligible to own a weapon. Both a morning and evening academy will be offered. 

Edison is also recruiting for their first Private Security Basic Training, which will use the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission curriculum and include 20 hours of firearms. The course will meet for 120 hours over 8 weeks. 

For more information or to apply for the upcoming academy, contact Helen Willcox at hwillcox@edisonohio.edu or 937-778-7962.