What Can I Do With This Degree?

Potential Job Titles

Career Outlook

How to Apply

Course Descriptions

Faculty:
Anne Vinson

Walt Poffenbaugh

• How old do I have to be to enter the academy?
• How can I guarantee a seat in the next academy?
• How do I get commissioned?
• When will I be notified if I am accepted into the academy?
• When and what is the orientation meeting?
• What if I fail the physical assessment?
• Is the academy difficult to pass?
• What type of weapon do I need for the academy?
• I have never shot a gun before, should I go out and start practicing?
• I have been convicted of a felony but have had my record expunged or sealed, can I still get in?
• I was charged with Domestic Violence but the charge was reduced to disorderly conduct, can I still get in?
• What are the hours of the Peace Officer academy?

1. 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.

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2. 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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3. 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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4. When will I be notified if I am accepted into the academy?
You will be notified by mail, of an orientation meeting, that will occur prior to the first scheduled academy date. This meeting is MANDATORY AND YOU MUST ATTEND. If you fail to attend, you will be removed from the academy class.

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5. When and what is the orientation meeting?
This meeting occurs 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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6. What if I fail the physical assessment?
Failing will not keep you out of the academy. (Most cadets do fail their first attempt.) The assessment is designed to show applicants how they measure against the State Mandated Physical Assessment Requirements.

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7. 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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8. What type of weapon do I need for the academy?
Any firearm that is not smaller than a 9mm or larger than a 45cal. firearm.

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9. 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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10. 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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11. 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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12. What are the hours of the Peace Officer academy?
There are two academies at NC State College. The night academy runs during the Fall and Winter quarters from 6pm until 10pm Monday through Thursday, and every Saturday from 8am until 5pm. The day academy runs during the Winter and Spring quarters from 8am until Noon Monday through Thursday, and every Saturday from 8am until 5pm.

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Related Programs:
Criminal Justice Associate Degree Program