Gregory Francis

The Ohio Police Officers Training Commission discussed pre-certification requirements for peace officer applicants. Key topics included drug screening, psychological exams, truth verification tests, physical exams, and additional criminal disqualifiers. The commission is urged to implement these recommendations to ensure the best candidates become peace officers. The commission also discussed increasing training hours and establishing standards and a certification process for academies.

The meeting addressed several key issues including the approval of the February 11th, 2025, OPOTC minutes, and the adoption of the 2026 CPT recommendation. The July 2025 Curriculum Release and the January 2026 Release, including the release of ICAT, were presented. There was a discussion about instructor pools and updating the Ohio Administrative Code to allow the executive director to recommend guidelines for approval of instructors.

The meeting included discussions and decisions on various topics. The 2025 Continuing Professional Training (CPT) topics were reviewed and approved, including Legal Updates, Use of Force, Ethics Law, and Search and Seizure. Changes to the curriculum based on the Basic Training program were discussed and updated, including Peace Office Basic, Jailer Basic, Correction Basic, and Private Security. The commission also discussed recommendations from the Blue-Ribbon Task Force Report, focusing on the future of police training in Ohio. The task force recommendations included amending the Peace Officer Basic Training (POBT) curriculum, modernizing physical fitness test standards, establishing certification levels reflecting training and experience, creating a Tactical Patrol Officer Program, incorporating reality-based situational decision-making scenarios, developing integrated lesson plans across training platforms, focusing CPT hours on progressing police services, and broadening annual firearms qualifications standards.

The meeting included reports from the Continuing Professional Training Committee and the Curriculum Committee, discussing updates to CPT, online courses, and physical fitness standards. The commission discussed changes to basic Peace Officer Training, Private Security, Corrections, and Jailer Basic training, as well as Corrections Officer Firearms Training. There were discussions regarding legislation affecting new officers and the age requirement for peace officer certification. The Executive Director provided an update on new staff members, the OPOTA portal, training programs, and the AG's Law Enforcement Conference. New business included a discussion on potential changes to the policy for final exams and physical assessments, and the meeting concluded with a guest forum and adjournment.

The meeting included discussions and updates on various topics. The appointment of Thomas Quinlan as the new Executive Director of OPOTA/C was approved. There were reports from the Continuing Professional Training Committee and the Curriculum Committee, including updates to the Canine Evaluator Training. The commission discussed the reporting of CPT hours and potential issues with officers in cease function status. There were also discussions on the Annual Law Enforcement Conference, virtual reality training, and physical fitness tests. Additionally, there were concerns raised about Pearson VUE, curriculum changes, and web checks for cadets.