How to become a police officer in Ohio
In Ohio, police officers are hired by city police departments and county sheriff's offices. The Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission (OPOTC), Ohio Attorney General sets the statewide standards; the credential is Peace Officer Basic Training certificate (OPOTC). At the Columbus Division of Police, new hires start at $74,227 a year, rising to $113,706 after about 4 years. You must be at least 21.
Pay at the Columbus Division of Police
Each city and county sets its own pay. This is the official scale of the Columbus Division of Police, the largest city's agency.
| Starting salary | $74,227 |
|---|---|
| Top of scale | $113,706 |
| Years to top | 4 |
| Scale effective | 2025 |
Columbus Division of Police 2025 pay scale.
Source:[columbus.gov]
Pay for this work across Ohio
Federal survey figures for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Ohio, counting every employer in the state, public and private, so they differ from any one agency's pay scale above.
| People in this work | 23,430 |
|---|---|
| Lower pay (10th percentile) | $51,110 |
| Median pay | $77,020 |
| Higher pay (90th percentile) | $103,210 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, state estimates (all employers)[bls.gov]
Requirements
- Minimum age: 21
- Education: High school diploma or certificate of high school equivalency
- Civil-service police departments: must be at least 21 for an original appointment and pass a physician's physical exam (free of cardiovascular and pulmonary disease) within 120 days before appointment (R.C. 124.41)
- Cannot attend the basic course if under a weapons disability, under indictment for or convicted of a felony, or registered as a sex, child-victim or arson offender; drug, violence and theft convictions within 3 years also bar entry (Ohio Adm.Code 109:2-1-03)
- Must hold an OPOTC basic training certificate before permanent appointment as a peace officer (R.C. 109.77)
- Academies require a criminal background check, physical fitness test and drug screening
Source:[codes.ohio.gov]
Hiring process
- Criminal background check
- Physical fitness test (entry benchmark)
- Drug screening
- OPOTC-approved Peace Officer Basic Training academy (740 hours minimum)
- Physical fitness skill assessment (exit standard)
- State certification written examination
- Commission by a local or county agency
Source:[ohioattorneygeneral.gov]
Entrance exam
OPOTC state certification exam. Written examination required to become eligible for certification after the basic academy; also taken by out-of-state officers approved for a reciprocal certificate.[ohioattorneygeneral.gov]
Required training
740 hours minimum. "The curriculum requires a minimum of 740 hours of training, although local academies may mandate additional hours." Updated curriculum effective July 1, 2025, mandatory by Jan. 1, 2026. Academies are closed (agency-appointed recruits; some pay cadet salaries) or open enrollment (student pays fees).[ohioattorneygeneral.gov]
Pension and retirement
- Plan: Ohio Police & Fire Pension Fund (OP&F)
- Benefit formula: 2.5% of average annual salary for each of the first 20 years of service credit, plus 2% for years 21-25, plus 1.5% for each year over 25; maximum 72% of average annual salary (five-year average for members with under 15 years as of July 2, 2013)
- When you can retire: Normal service pension with 25 years of service credit at age 52 for members whose membership began on or after July 2, 2013
R.C. 742.37(C)(1).
Source:[codes.ohio.gov]