Graduation ceremony inducts 44 new Ohio peace officers

COLUMBUS, Ohio ( WCMH ) — Ohio State Highway Patrol’s training academy hosted its 150th basic peace officer graduation today, adding 44 new officers to agencies across Ohio.

Starting in February, the group began learning a range of topics from criminal law to emergency vehicle operations and community relations. Major Michael Kemmer commended the graduates’ work.

“These officers had just graduated (and) completed 21 weeks of intense training,” Kemmer said. “The training is a little different than what we provide our OSP cadet troopers. Their training is typically 28 to 30 weeks long. So, this training is a little shorter, but we cover everything.”

The ceremony honored the new officers in front of their family and friends. Kemmer said the training is an important asset to other police departments.

“It’s special for us because it gives us the opportunity to support other law enforcement agencies,” Kemmer said. “As a state agency, we need to be supplying free training to other agencies across Ohio, and that’s basically what we’re doing here when we’re running these academy classes, these basic peace officer classes.”

Chief Gary Lewis said the event highlights the importance of getting more people involved in law enforcement.

“Agencies all over the state are suffering from lower numbers,” Lewis said. “We have to get people encouraged and engaged to do this very noble and honorable profession.”

The graduating class will join 31 Ohio police agencies as new peace officers.

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