The profession of law enforcement is on the threshold of a new era that will bring with it greater demands from the community for more highly qualified personnel. The opportunities for well‑educated and trained individuals are vast, and horizons are constantly expanding.

The Criminal Justice Program at Rhodes State College is designed to prepare those individuals who are seeking entry-level positions, especially in local, and state law enforcement agencies, as well as public and private security agencies. Criminal Justice associate degree graduates planning to continue their education at a four-year institution will find easy transfer to most institutions.

Rhodes State College also offers the Basic Peace Officer Training Academy through the Criminal Justice Program. The Academy has special admission requirements. The candidate must have a valid driver’s license, be twenty-one by the end of the academy, and no felony or domestic violence convictions. All candidates must complete a short interview and fitness test administered under the direction of the department chair prior to acceptance into the academy. Students who wish to first take the degree requirements may select the Basic Peace Officer Academy at the conclusion of the program.

Ohio Peace Officer Training for Certification cannot be taken through distance education. All OPOTA training must be taken in the classroom. Please contact the Chair for further clarification.

The Criminal Justice program is a unique, highly challenging, diverse, reputable, technical and theoretical educational program which trains and develops individuals who desire professions in the criminal justice fields, and provides enhanced developmental training for in-service professionals which establishes a culture of life long learning. Our mission is to graduate students that will be proficient in the necessary skills required to be effective in the fields of law enforcement or corrections. The graduate will have a thorough knowledge of the laws of the State of Ohio and how to enforce those laws, the utilization of a wide variety of equipment, the understanding of how to interact appropriately with a diverse community, and to master a wide variety of skills and communication methods required to operate effectively in these fields.

People depend on police officers and detectives to protect their lives and property. Law enforcement officers, some of whom are State or Federal special agents or inspectors, perform these duties in a variety of ways, depending on the size and type of their organization. In most jurisdictions, they are expected to exercise authority when necessary, whether on or off duty.

The opportunity for public service through law enforcement work is attractive to many. The job is challenging and involves much personal responsibility.

Many law enforcement officers spend much of their time interviewing witnesses and suspects, apprehending fugitives and criminals, collecting evidence and providing testimony in court.

Police officers and detectives may become experts in several fields, including chemical and microscopic analysis; firearms identification; canine corps; or specialized crime task forces. Detectives and special agents often work as plain-clothes investigators who gather facts and collect evidence for criminal cases, and often participate in raids or arrests.

Police and detectives held about 861,000 jobs in 2006. About 80 percent were employed by local governments. State police agencies employed about 12 percent and various Federal agencies employed about 6 percent. A small proportion worked for educational services, rail transportation, and contract investigation and security services.

The opportunity for public service through law enforcement work is attractive to many because the job is challenging and involves much personal responsibility. Employment of police and detectives is expected to grow as fast as the average for all occupations through 2016. A more security-conscious society and concern about drug-related crimes should contribute to the increasing demand for police services.

The Criminal Justice program is accredited by the Ohio Peace Officer’s Training Academy, P.O. Box 309, London, OH 43140.

Students are encouraged to meet each term with their assigned academic advisor, faculty advisor or program chair to ensure appropriate sequencing of course work, planning for full-time or part-time course work, transferring to a four-year institution, or to address other educational questions. Each student must complete his/her degree with a grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 to be eligible for the Associate of Applied Business Degree or the Associate of Applied Science degree. Please see individual program requirements for additional “C” grade policies.

Certain requirements are required for the Ohio Peace Officer Training. See chair for details.