Will Wiseman witnessed a fender bender recently and stopped to help.
That impulse was fitting as he was on his way to Pickaway-Ross Adult Education’s Basic Peace Office Academy (BPOA), offered in partnership with Ohio University Chillicothe.
Will, 28 (right, speaking with fellow cadet Brandon Stanley before class), is one of seven cadets in the first BPOA cohort, which started March 6. The academy is conducted in strict compliance to all rules and regulations prescribed by the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission (OPOTC) and cadets meet from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and some weekends.
Will, who is from Perry County, said he decided to enroll in the academy to follow in his dad’s footsteps, planning to be an Ohio DNR officer.
“My dad is a retired park ranger. My brother is employed in Zanesville as a cop,” Will said. Hearing stories from his brother inspired him to enroll but he said they have different personalities.
When they were growing up, Will said, “he liked playing video games inside … and I’m more outdoorsy. I love hunting, fishing and stuff like that.”
But both brothers like helping others.
“I actually had a few people poach deer close to my mom’s house where I grew up and that kind of struck a nerve in me. So I want to get out there and try to stop some of those people and help other people that need help.”
Commander Terri Mikesh said she is impressed with this first class.
“They are definitely engaged in learning, which is wonderful to see. I’m very excited with this class.”
Will said there is a lot to learn.
“It’s almost a little bit overwhelming. But the instructors are able to slow down and pace everything, so you’re able to actually soak a bunch of it in.”
Terri said the OPOTC requirements for instructors are as strict as for students. Her 25 instructors are certified by individual topics, of which there are 60 within the curriculum. The topics fall under 13 units, including administration, legal, human relations, firearms and investigation.
The state mandates the minimum amount of time required on each topic, for example, 40 hours of physical fitness training is the state minimum requirement.
However, Pickaway-Ross cadets will complete more than that, training at least two times a week.
OPOTC curriculum requires a minimum of 740 hours of training.
“We go above and beyond the minimum to better prepare our cadets,” who will complete 820 curriculum hours, Terri said.
When the cohort completes in November, cadets who satisfactorily pass all academy requirements will then take the exam to be certified as peace officers in Ohio.