Leveraging Workforce Funding to Remove Barriers for a Career in County Law Enforcement

About the Program

Category: Criminal Justice and Public Safety (Best in Category)

Year: 2021

In response to a large number of deputies becoming retirement eligible, the County Executive and Sheriff worked together with the OhioMeansJobs Center, a state workforce entity, and University of Akron to establish a police academy scholarship program. The program leverages existing workforce funding and focuses on recruiting diverse candidates. The goal of this program is to remove barriers for individuals who want to serve their community, but face socioeconomic barriers. Each scholarship recipient receives full tuition, a parking pass, a textbook, a drug screening and psychological exam and school uniforms. Following graduation from the police academy and passage of the state law enforcement certification exam, program participants are guaranteed a job in the Summit County Sheriff’s Office. The ongoing program has led to the hiring of nine of Deputy Sheriffs.