How does the OSHP academy compare to municipal academies?

[notapipe]

Hey, guys.

I'm 17 years old and for as long as I can remember I've been interested in joining a career in law enforcement. I'm deciding between becoming an Ohio State Trooper, Municipal LEO in my city, or Sheriff Deputy.

I have sort of narrowed it down to becoming a police officer in my city or becoming a trooper. How do the municipal academies and State trooper academies compare to each other? I've heard that the OSHP academies have more of a paramilitary feel and municipal academies are a little easier. I'm not too concerned about the difficulty of the program. I just want to know what I need to prepare myself for.

Thanks!

[Billdozer79]

They are nothing alike. And you should be worried about the difficulty of the programs. OSP is very structured and very demanding. Going into any of the LE programs with a sense of "easy completion" will set you up for failure. Best of luck to you in your pursuit.

[just joe]

It is not a matter of who you decide you are going to work for--it is a matter of who is going to let you work for them.

What you need to do to prepare yourself is go to college and get a degree, or enlist in the military if you are so inclined, or establish a stable work history, or a combination of the above.

Most municipalities in Ohio do not have their own academies. They use regional academies, or they send candidates to OPOTA or the OHP, or they require new hires to be peace officer certified prior to application.

[USMARINE]

OSHP has an awesome academy that I've been fortunate to attend a few classes at. I went to a self-sponsor academy so while there are some difficult things, it was no where near as difficult as I'm sure their academy is. That said, you want it to be difficult, you will want it to be the most difficult thing you have ever accomplished because it will make you value your experiences that much more and will drive you to become a better officer.

[tanksoldier]

If you have no military experience, I feel that a highly structured academy like most state police/ highway patrol academies... and some other academies... is important.

If you've already been there, done that it probably isn't as important. Of course, if you're sponsored or attend a department academy, you get to do whatever it is they do.

If you decide to go self-sponsored, gauging the reputation of the various academies you have available is important. The most militaristic isn't always the best overall.

[Lady Blue]

The more paramilitary the structure, the better IMO although the structure itself is not necessarily a sign of the level of instruction you will receive. It is simply one aspect of the total program.

As an instructor I am building the next generation of cops, so if there is any quit in you, one of my jobs is to get out or run you off. I am going to do everything I can to insure that both of us know that you have the inner drive to fight to the end. If you are going to quit, my duty is to make it happen in the academy rather than when you and your partner are fighting for your lives.

You say you have no concerns about being successful. THAT concerns me. You plan on entering into what will be one of the biggest challenges of your life, academically, physically, and mentally. Your career, your life, and the lives of others rest on your ability to absorb and implement the lessons you will learn in a very short period of time.

[Billdozer79]

The structure of the program is very important I agree. But i also believe you get out of it what you put into it. You have to have some sort of drive in order to succeed. Making it through the selection process is difficult, but not going to guarantee your success.

[SmallCityCop]

Comparing State vs City/Local Academies is like comparing apples to apples... although some apples have to live-in during their stay.

That being said, no academy is supposed to be "easy", that's why they have Academies, to weed out the ones who can't hack the job! It's supposed to be something you can look back on and say, "I did that." and be able to call yourself one of the Thin Blue Line.

You need to prepare physically, mentally, and educationally. You will be pushed to and beyond your limits.

[sapper324]

My recommendation would be to study in school, get good grades, go to college and/or join the military (If you enlist, go to college when you get out on the GI Bill). Have fun being a kid/young adult for now with those goals in the back of you mind. Don't do anything stupid though that will compromise your future. It is very possible to enjoy college/life and be responsible. Live your life. Don't get too wound up on becoming the police just yet. You may find something else you want to do. Keep an open mind.