Ohio peace officers who have taken a break in service and wish to return to duty will soon have an easier path back.
Revised requirements included in the new state budget bill are designed to ensure that experienced, certified officers can get back in the field without having to repeat 740 hours of training at a basic academy.
The revisions, signed into law on July 1, took effect on Oct. 1:
- Officers who were previously certified by the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission and took a break in service — no matter how brief — will no longer be required to attend a basic academy again to return to law enforcement. Under the change in law, officers who completed basic training and received certification will not lose that certification (unless officially revoked). However, the certificate, which becomes inactive during a break in service, must be renewed before a peace officer can resume duties.
- Officers who have been out of service longer than one year must complete refresher training before resuming peace officer functions. The previous one-year grace period to complete training after reappointment is effectively repealed.
- Officers who have been out of service at least one year but less than four years must take 40 hours of refresher training.
- Officers out of service four or more years must take 80 hours of refresher training.
- Officers out of service less than one year may be appointed at an agency’s discretion, subject to continuing professional training (CPT) compliance.
OPOTA is actively developing the refresher curriculum. To get officers back on the street quickly, they will be assessed within the refresher course itself; no separate refresher testing at independent facilities will be required.
Officers must still meet all statutorily mandated trainings and the firearm requalification. Agencies remain responsible for ensuring compliance with these requirements. These obligations are separate from the refresher training.