Police Careers
Dedicated to protecting and serving the university community.
Our Values
Service: The principle of assisting others who need our help and setting aside our individual needs to accomplish our goal.
Innovation: The commitment to generating and discovering new ideas and processes through creative inquiry.
Respect: Treating all individuals with courtesy and dignity.
Integrity: Our duties are performed with the utmost honesty, consistency of character and ethical standards.
Diversity: The acceptance and appreciation of the differences in culture, thought, and experiences of all individuals and to integrate those differences in all we do.
Qualifications
Officer Trainee*
- Minimum age 21
- Valid unrestricted Ohio driver’s license upon appointment
- High school degree or equivalent
- Must successfully complete medical/visual, psychological, physical performance evaluations, polygraph, and drug screen
- No conviction record for felony, drug- or sex-related crimes
- Completion of the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy (obtained after employment)
University Law Enforcement Officer*
- Minimum age 21
- Valid unrestricted Ohio driver’s license upon appointment
- Minimum seventy-two (72) quarter college credit hours or equivalent semester credit hours of documented college course work or twelve (12) months of public law enforcement experience or equivalent combination education and experience
- Must successfully complete medical/visual, psychological, physical performance evaluations, polygraph, and drug screen
- No conviction record for felony, drug- or sex-related crimes
- Current Ohio Peace Officer certification
*Applies to Columbus Campus only.
Benefits & Salaries
Outstanding Medical & Retirement Options
- Comprehensive medical coverage with choice of care providers
- Dental, Vision and Prescription Drug coverage for staff and dependents
- A variety of life insurance options for employees, same-sex domestic partners/spouses and their dependents
- Enrollment in either the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS) or the Alternative Retirement Plan (ARP)
Continue Your Education
- The university pays 100 percent of the Instructional, General and non-Ohio resident fees for employees to take up to 10 credit hours per semester. The university pays 50 percent of the undergraduate level Instructional and General fees for eligible dependents.
Paid Leave Benefits
- Ten paid holidays annually
- 120 hours of sick leave and 80 hours of vacation annually
Support Athletic Events
- Eligibility for admission to home athletic events
Benefits listed above are not all inclusive. Subject to change without notice. For detailed information regarding university benefit plans, see the Office of Human Resources web page at hr.osu.edu/benefits.
Salaries
Rates as of March 2018. Excludes additional incentives and shift differential. Years of service from other agencies are transferrable.
- Trainees - $44,033
- New Officer - $53,125
- After 1 year - $56,838
- After 2 years - $64,327
- After 3 years - $73,492
- After 4 years - $84,058
Physical Fitness Standards
Removal Standards
Career Opportunity Notifications
E-mail Kurt Farnsworth to have your name added to our police career opportunities notification list.
Rewards of Serving the Community
Deputy Chief Kimberly Spears-McNatt
Being an Ohio State Police Officer is rewarding because no two days are the same and I get the opportunity to work with, protect and serve a diverse university community.
Officer Mark Sandbrink
In addition to loving my job, I appreciate being part of the campus community and the unique educational and training opportunities offered by The Ohio State University Police Division.
Lt. Joanna Shaul & K9 Rita
From presidential visits to big sporting events, no two days are the same working for OSUPD. Our canine units help prepare for large events both on campus and around the state.
Officer Doug Cunningham
We have a unique ability to have a positive impact on the lives of people from all over the world – right here on our campus – and maintaining these relationships is very rewarding.
Officer Marjorie Rizalvo
We are guiding the next generation of world leaders at Ohio State. With such a global community, we interact with people of different perspectives, cultures, experiences and abilities.
Officer Erik Winger
Bike patrol allows me to stay connected through direct contact with the university community. As an Ohio State alumnus, I give back by providing a safe environment for students to learn and grow.