Home > Academics > Basic Peace Officer Academy

Students interested in registering for the Summer Basic Peace Officer’s Academy may now pick up a packet from Southern State Community College’s Fayette Campus. The academy will begin 6/11/12 and have a projected end date of 12/14/12.

The deadline for completing the application process is May 12, 2012.

After completing the application packet, students must contact Robin Roche at 1-800-575-8225 extension 5657 or email rroche@sscc.edu to register for one of the following Pre-assessments:

• Saturday, May 5 at 2:00pm
• Saturday, May 12 at 2:00pm

The Basic Peace Officer Academy is a six month program that can be taken alone or as a part of Law Enforcement – 493 Degree. This class is held at Fayette Campus, Monday through Thursday from 5:30pm – 10:00pm and on Saturday from 8:30am – 5:00pm. There are five additional Sunday classes.

Most coursework for the training program takes place at Southern State’s Fayette Campus in Washington C.H. Instructors are recruited from various Ohio county agencies, sheriff and police departments, as well as the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Local judges and attorneys also share their experiences and professional knowledge with the students.

Course Descriptions:

LENF 102 Basic Law Enforcement I

12 credits

Law Enforcement skills and techniques to fulfill partial requirements for peace officer training certification as required by the Attorney General’s office and the OPOTC. Program is offered in conjunction with the Greenfield Police Department. This is the state certifying academy mandated by the Ohio Peace Officer Training Council.

LENF 103 Basic Law Enforcement II

12 credits

Second part of more law enforcement skills and techniques to fulfill partial requirements for peace officer training certification as required by the Attorney General’s office and the OPOTC. Program is offered in conjunction with the Greenfield Police Department. This is the state certifying academy mandated by the Ohio Peace Officer Training Council.

LENF 102 & 103 are the basic peace officer academy. The academy is a total of 24-quarter credit hours. If a student successfully completes the academy and successfully passes the state test, then he or she is able to receive a peace officer certification in the state of Ohio when that person obtains a peace officer commission with a law enforcement agency within one year of taken the state examination. If a student does not obtain a commission within 1 year but less than 2 years, he or she is currently required to take a refresher course and a refresher examination. If the student does not receive a commission after 2 years, they are required to complete the whole academy and take the state exam again.

Students enrolling in the Basic Peace Officer Academy must:

• Download Enrollment Packet or pick up packet from Fayette Campus
• Complete the enrollment packet, have a physical, and background check done
• Schedule for a Pre-Assessment (dates will be listed in enrollment packet) where students will take a physical fitness assessment and return their completed packet
• Apply for admission to Southern State Community College
• Students may also apply for financial aid; financial aid is available to those who qualify

For more information, please email policeacademy@sscc.edu.

Commander

Robin Roche

• Rank: Ret. Chief, Currently Auxiliary Patrol Officer
• Academy Attended: Hocking Technical College (1975)
• Earned Degrees: A.A.S., B.S. in Public Safety Management
• Earned Certifications: Basic Peace Officer Training Unit Instructor, Basic Peace Officer Training School Commander, Private Security Unit Instructor, Private Security Academy Commander, Jailer Basic Training Unit Instructor and Jailer Basic Training Academy Commander
• Honors/Awards/Recognition: Southern State Community College Distinguished Alumi Award (1999), A.A.S. Graduated Cum Laude from Southern State Community College, B.S. Graduated Summa Cum Laude from Franklin University
• Years with Academy: 19

Instructor Bios

Carl Alexander

• Academy Attended: Reynoldsburg (1975)
• Earned Degrees: B.S. The Ohio State University
• Years with Academy: 5

Daniel Benkiel

• Earned Degrees: B.A. Psychology, M.S. Rehabilition Counseling
• Earned Certifications: Licensed Social Worker - State of Ohio
• Honors/Awards/Recognition: Various Community Service Awards including William Pitstick Community Service Award, Ohio Attorney General Exemplary Service Award, Highland County Victim/Witness Assistance Program Volunteer of the Year, Highland County V/W.A.P. - 19 Years Distinguished Service Award
• Years with Academy: 16

Mark Brewer

• Rank: Deputy Sheriff Road Patrol
• Academy Attended: Southern State Community College (1998)
• Earned Certifications: OPOTA Instructor, Taser Instructor, Nix Drug Testing Instructor, NASRO School Resource Officer
• Honors/Awards/Recognition: 2007 Deputy of the Year, 3 Life Saving Awards, Merit Award for Special Assignments, Nominated for School Resource Officer of the Year National Award
• Years with Academy: 4

Brian Carlson

• Rank: Special Agent-in-Charge (BCI)
• Academy Attended: Madison County, London (1985)
• Earned Degrees: B.A. Criminology
• Earned Certifications: DEA Drug Commander, Numerous Staff and Federal Classes
• Honors/Awards/Recognition: BCI Superintendents Award
• Years with Academy: 2.5

David Faulkner

• Rank: Sargeant
• Academy Attended: The Ohio State University (1990)
• Earned Certifications: Strategic Air Command Non-Commissioned Offices, OPOTA - Instructional Skills, Financial Investigative Techniques, S.T.O.P.S., Coast Guard, Boating Skills, and Seamanship, Firearms Instructor and Requalification Officer
• Honors/Awards/Recognition: Officer of the Year 1997, Safe Driving Citation 2004
• Years with Academy: 19

Ronold Fithen

• Rank: Sargeant
• Academy Attended: OSP (1992)
• Earned Degrees: A.S. Law Enforcement (SSCC) and B.S. Criminal Justice Admin. (Columbia Southern U.)
• Earned Certifications: Numerous
• Honors/Awards/Recognition: Wilmington F.O.E. Officer of the Year 1995, President of Clinton County Leadership Institute 2011
• Years with Academy: 9

Eric Gerber

• Earned Degrees: Physical Education: Exercise Science, B.S. Kinesiology
• Earned Certifications: American Council on Exercise Personal Training Certification since 1992
• Years with Academy: 3

Kenneth Holliday

• Earned Degrees: M.S. Health and Sport Science
• Years with Academy: 11

Brian Prickett

• Rank: Chief Deputy Clinton County S.O.
• Academy Attended: Green County Law Enforcement Academy (1984)
• Earned Degrees: A.S. Law Enforcement (SSCC)
• Earned Certifications: Peace Officer, Corrections Officer, Jail Administrator, Graduate FBI National Academy Session 235
• Years with Academy: 1

Edwin Schmid

• Rank: (Ret.) Sargeant (MTPD) / Captain (FPD)
• Academy Attended: Lebanon Police Academy (1978)
• Earned Degrees: A.S. Law Enforcement
• Earned Certifications: Unit Instructor (OPOTA), Crime Prevention Specialist
• Honors/Awards/Recognition: Life Saving Award, Officer of the Year 2003
• Years with Academy: 18

Shawn Smith

• Rank: Parole Officer, State of Ohio, Adult Parole Authority
• Academy Attended: Southern State Community College (1999)
• Earned Degrees: B.A. Criminal Justice, Sociology Minor (U. of Findlay)
• Earned Certifications: Unarmed Self Defense, OC, and Firearms Instructor for The Adult Parole Authority
• Years with Academy: 9

Jennifer Swackhamer

• Rank: Deputy
• Academy Attended: Greenfield Basic Peace Officers Academy (2004)
• Earned Certifications: Basic Peace Officers Training Academy, Corrections Academy
• Years with Academy: 4

Nicholas Thompson

• Rank: Chief of Police
• Academy Attended: Waverly Police Academy (1978)
• Honors/Awards/Recognition: Pistol Master Award
• Years with Academy: 19

Joseph Williams

• Rank: Special Deputy Meigs County - Retired from Columbus
• Academy Attended: Columbus Police (1971)
• Earned Degrees: Associates (Columbus State)
• Years with Academy: 1/2

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