The Columbus Division of Police is the main law enforcement agency serving the residents of Columbus. Established back in 1816, it is Ohio’s largest police force covering 20 precincts that make up the greater Columbus Metropolitan Area. If you want to become a part of the 1,800 officers and 300 civilians employed by the Columbus Division of Police, the information provided here will be very useful.

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Columbus Police Officer Requirements

You have to come up to the following standards if you want to become a part of the Columbus Division of Police. A Candidate:

  • Must be at least 20 years old to be eligible to apply
  • Must have completed at least high school. In case of not having a high school diploma, the equivalent GED certificate will be accepted too
  • Should obtain a valid driving permit/license for Ohio
  • Must be a legal citizen of the United States. People living in the country on permanent residency are not eligible to apply
  • Should not have a criminal record in any state. This includes charges of felony, domestic violence, possession or trade of illegal drugs during the previous 3 years (except marijuana), possession or trade of marijuana during the last 1 year and DUI during the last 5 years
  • Must not have received more than 3 moving violations during the previous 3 years. Seat belt violations and parking tickets are exempted

Time Required to Become a Columbus Police Officer

Training at the Columbus Division of Police Academy takes 29 weeks (6 to 7 months) on average. Once the recruits finish this program, they will have to undergo about 15 weeks (3 to 4 months) of field training. So, you can expect the complete process of becoming a cop in Columbus (from applying till the completion of all the trainings) to take about 1.5 years.

How Much Money Does a Police Officer Make in Columbus?

As of 2019, the starting annual salary for an officer of the Columbus Division of Police is $57,220.80 according to the city’s police website. This translates to an hourly wage of $27.51. After the completion of the first 12 months of service, the annual salary will rise to $60,028.80.
Moreover, the following benefits are extended to all officers by the Columbus Division of Police:

  • Paid training at the Columbus Division of Police Academy (non-residential)
  • Reimbursement of college tuition (at the completion of 1 year of service)
  • Life insurance ($100,000 provided to the officer’s estate)
  • Health insurance coverage for the officer and his/her family. This is provided at a cost of $77.40/month for single-person coverage and $276.88/month for family coverage
  • Dental Plan and Vision Care (effective after completion of 3 months of service)
  • Representation in the Fraternal Order of Police (F.O.P) Union
  • Paid leaves and vacations

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