Police Academy
If you’re ready to make a difference, UC Clermont’s Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy (OPOTA) Certificate program can be your first step. Approved by the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission, this program welcomes individuals with a high school diploma or GED who are driven to serve their communities.
While the schedule demands commitment and the profession can be challenging, graduates often find deep purpose and fulfillment in their careers. The OPOTA Certificate is integrated within UC Clermont’s two-year Associate of Criminal Justice program—providing both practical training and academic foundation for future law enforcement professionals.
Enrolling in the Police Academy (OPOTA)
Enrolling in the academy has additional admissions requirements. You should start well in advance of the semester in which you would like to start training.
- Students can enroll in the police academy (OPOTA) without being in the Criminal Justice degree program. Students enrolled in the OPOTA certificate are eligible for financial aid.
You must complete the entire academy and pay all your fees in full before you will be eligible to sit for the OPOTA exam. The OPOTA exam is given to your entire class at the same time.
- Many municipal police and sheriff's departments require officers to be at least 21 years old when hired. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you turn 21 by the time you graduate from the academy, before you take your OPOTA certification exam.
Students who wish to pursue a career in the Ohio State Highway Patrol should apply directly to them. The Ohio State Highway Patrol requires all candidates to attend their live-in academy.
- If you have been convicted of a felony or domestic violence, federal law prohibits you from acceptance into the academy.
- If you have been convicted of two or more DUIs you will not be accepted into the academy.
If you are uncertain if this may apply to you, please contact the academy commander to discuss your situation.
Review academy prerequisites and receive academy forms. Contact Commander Bill Dunkman at william.dunkman@uc.edu or call 513-558-7408
Apply for admission to Clermont College.
- If you are currently a UC student at Clermont College or any other UC college, you don't need to re-apply.
- If you are not a Clermont student, you will want to transfer your enrollment to this college; otherwise you will pay the higher tuition of whichever college you are enrolled in.
Applicants must successfully pass a physical fitness test based on the Cooper Standards. Contact the commander to schedule your test.
These forms will be provided by the commander during step 1 when you initially meet Commander Dunkman.
Once you have been accepted to UC Clermont College and completed the additional Police Academy requirements, it's time to register for classes! If you do not know who your academic advisor is, you can find the Criminal Justice Technology advisor's contact information on the Advisors by Program page.
Courses are typically held Monday - Friday from 5 P.M. - 10 P.M. There may be a few required Saturday/weekend activities, but most courework takes place in the evenings during the week, over the course of two semesters.
Academy courses are held at*:
Clermont College Police Academy
UC Clermont Campus
4200 Clermont College Drive
Batavia, OH 45103
*Firing range, driving practice and physical conditioning may be held at other locations.
The University of Cincinnati reaffirms its policy that discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, age, sexual orientation, veteran status or gender identity and expression shall not be practiced in any of its activities.
University Rule 3361: 10-13-01