Police Officer Recruit

Type: Full Time

PURPOSE: Under the direct supervision of the Sergeant, the primary responsibility of all Police Officer Recruits is to successfully complete basic police academy standards established by the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission (OPOTC).

SCOPE: The Police Officer Recruit is a trainee position within the Colerain Township Police Department.

While at a designated police academy, recruits will undergo a comprehensive and intensive training regimen designed to meet the standards set by the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission (OPOTC).

The program will equip them with the knowledge, skills, and physical fitness necessary to perform the duties of a full-time police officer. Successful completion of academy training is required for promotion to the position of Uniform Patrol Officer within the Colerain Township Police Department.

ESSENTIAL ROLES & RESPONSIBLILITIES: A Police Officer Recruit for Colerain Township Police Department must perform each of the following tasks. The omission of specific statement of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

1. Training and Education:

• Participate in a state-mandated curriculum developed in accordance with Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission (OPOTC) standards, which includes instruction on criminal law, traffic enforcement, criminal investigations, use of force, community policing, civil rights, and constitutional law.
• Learn and demonstrate proficiency in Ohio law enforcement procedures, including traffic stops, arrests, searches, report writing, and investigations.
• Participate in hands-on training, including defensive tactics, firearms training, emergency vehicle operations, and active shooter response.
• Attend classroom lectures, practical exercises, and scenarios designed to enhance decision-making skills and ensure safe and lawful policing practices.
• Demonstrate the ability to use law enforcement tools, including radios, firearms, tasers, handcuffs, and body cameras, in line with Ohio law and departmental policies.
• Engage in physical fitness training to meet OPOTC fitness standards, including endurance, strength, and agility.

2. Physical Fitness:

• Participate in daily physical training sessions, including strength training, cardiovascular exercises, and obstacle courses designed to prepare recruits for the physical demands of law enforcement work.
• Meet or exceed physical fitness standards as set by OPOTC, which include passing regular fitness assessments consisting of running, push-ups, and sit-ups.
• Develop the physical endurance necessary for a law enforcement career, including responding to high-stress situations and engaging in physically demanding activities.

3. Mental and Emotional Resilience:

• Engage in training focused on stress management, emotional resilience, and mental health, preparing recruits for the emotional challenges of police work.
• Learn and practice techniques for conflict de-escalation, communication, and maintaining composure during high-pressure situations.
• Demonstrate critical thinking and sound judgment in dynamic, high-stakes environments.

4. Compliance with Policies and Procedures:

• Adhere to all police academy rules and regulations, including attendance, conduct, dress code, and performance standards.
• Maintain professional behavior and punctuality while attending all scheduled classes and practical exercises.
• Participate in regular evaluations, written exams, and practical assessments to measure proficiency in law enforcement practices, physical fitness, and academic knowledge.
• Complete mandatory training in areas such as ethics, diversity, de-escalation tactics, and cultural awareness as required by OPOTC.

5. Teamwork and Communication:

• Collaborate effectively with fellow recruits in team-based training exercises, building cooperative skills and demonstrating teamwork.
• Communicate clearly and professionally, both in writing and orally, practicing report writing, radio communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Participate in simulated real-world situations, such as traffic stops, arrests, and emergency response scenarios, learning to work cohesively with a law enforcement team.

6. Ethical and Professional Standards:

• Uphold the highest ethical standards in all aspects of academy training, behavior, and interactions.
• Exhibit professionalism and integrity consistent with the mission and values of the Colerain Township Police Department.
• Embrace the core principles of community policing and show understanding of how law enforcement interacts with Ohio’s diverse population.
• Must always adhere to Colerain Township Police Department Rules and Regulations.

CRITICAL SKILLS / EXPERTISE:
• Strength in interpersonal skills as well as the ability to work independently. Must possess leadership skills and knowledge of current law enforcement strategies. Requires ability to handle stressful situations and exhibit compassion and good judgment when dealing with the public.

• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups, employees, or the public.
• Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of basic algebra and geometry. Ability to calculate figures and amounts and to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Ability to get along with other employees.

EDUCATION, LICENSING & CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
• High school diploma or equivalent.

• Must be at least 21 years old by the time of graduation from the academy.
• A valid state driver’s license.
• Must be bondable.
• Must pass a thorough background check, including criminal history, credit history, and previous employment verification.
• Ability to pass the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission’s physical fitness assessment and meet medical and physical standards required for academy entry and department standards.
• Must successfully pass written exams and practical skill assessments as required by the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission, and successfully obtain an Ohio Peace Officer certification.

PHYSICAL & MENTAL REQUIREMENTS:
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk and hear, use hands and fingers to handle or feel objects, tools, or controls, and to reach with hands and arms.

• The employee must be able to lift and/or move varying amounts of weight, depending upon the task at hand. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. Must be able to kneel, bend at the waist, and work in a standing position for long periods. Must be able to walk on foot over rough terrain at varying degrees of slope.
• Must be able to overcome resistance of a subject resisting arrest, ability to defend one-self and/or protect others from injury. Employees may be occasionally involved in physical confrontation up to and including life-threatening situations.
• Officers must operate emergency vehicles under stressful conditions.
• Officers must qualify with firearms, and other offensive and defensive weapons and meet OPOTA yearly firearm standards. Officers are provided the use of handcuffs, IMPACT weapon, mace, Taser, police communication equipment, gun belt, personal computers and RCIC system, proper use of a flashlight and the operation of a police vehicle under routine and emergency conditions within local and state laws.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essentials of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Recruits are required to follow the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy schedule, which may include weekends, nights, and long hours of training.