Are you interested in a fast paced, exciting, and challenging law enforcement career? Does solving crimes, collecting evidence and arresting criminals sound interesting and rewarding to you? If so, Criminal Justice agencies across the country are looking for sharp, highly trained individuals who want to make our country safer.  There are thousands of well paying jobs with great benefits and prestige in law enforcement on the local, state, and federal levels.

Criminal Justice has been one of the fastest growing academic areas for the past few decades, but has grown exponentially since 9/11/01. Americans realization of what terrorists, gangs, and escalating violence can do has spiked this interest. In addition to earning a degree from MTC that will prepare you for the next step in their career whether it is working in the field or advancing their education. Marion Technical College uses an integrated approach between theory and practice in their criminal justice program allowing students a hands-on approach to their education.  

The Criminal Justice Peace Officer Option program at MTC will start you on your way to a rewarding career in law enforcement. The curriculum includes training in the Marion Law Enforcement Academy. Marion Law Enforcement Academy graduates have demonstrated a high pass rate on the state certification exam and are employed in law enforcement positions throughout the state.

In order to become employed as a peace officer in Ohio, an individual must successfully complete state-mandated training and pass the certification examination sponsored by the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy [OPOTA]. Eligibility to sit for the state certification exam also includes successful completion of a physical fitness assessment—Ohio Peace Officer Physical Assessment Standards.

The Academy is conducted in a semi-military format following strict rules and regulations. Academy classes, with the exception of physical conditioning, meet Monday through Thursday evenings (6 p.m. to 10 p.m.) and Saturdays (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) for approximately six months (December –June). To successfully complete the Academy, students must complete a specified number of hours following strict rules and regulations, which are outlined in the Marion Law Enforcement Academy Application.  

More than 30 law enforcement personnel from a multi-county area instruct the Academy courses. Academy instructors are local law enforcement professionals who are OPOTA certified in a specific area.

Degree Received: Associate of Applied of Science

Two-year [six quarters] full-time degree schedule; mixture of core criminology/forensic science courses and studies in communications, information technology, and broad-based general education classes; includes field experience internship[s]; program can be completed on a part-time basis.

Projections From the U.S. Department of Labor

Throughout the U.S., more than 842,000 individuals work in the varied fields of law enforcement and criminal justice in positions such as state troopers, police officers, investigators, sheriffs and deputies, bailiffs and court officers, transit authorities, game wardens, security guards, and corrections officers; nearly 85,000 of these jobs are in Ohio.  National labor data projects as much as a 17 percent increase in job opportunities in these professions through the year 2014, varying by state and the needs of urban and rural population centers.  The State of Ohio expects similar growth in many criminal justice disciplines [corrections offices up 20.4 percent, patrol officers up 20.4 percent, security work up 11.1 percent, and investigators up 18.5 percent] through 2012.

Career Opportunities: 

What am I Expected to Learn?  

• Understand and apply current laws [federal, state, and municipal] to various situations involving crimes and/or civil offenses
• Apply criminal justice techniques, concepts, and theories to successfully investigate crimes, crime scenes, and criminal incidents
• Determine causes of criminal and deviant behavior
• Digitally photograph and reconstruct crime scenes for investigative purposes and court presentation
• Conduct interviews and interrogations
• Execute correct and safe traffic stops and building searches
• Display proper handcuffing, searching, and use of force on subjects
• Demonstrate and practice correct self-defense techniques
• Pass the state-mandated driving course
• Pass the state-mandated handgun and shotgun course
• Earn first aid and CPR certification
• Develop a lifestyle of physical fitness and pass a state-mandated physical fitness test
• Demonstrate written communication and public speaking skills related to criminal justice—police reports, suspect interrogations, victim interviews, courtroom testimony, presentations, and public relations