Police Careers

We carry out our mission to the university committed to these values:

• Service: The principle of assisting others who need our help and the setting aside of 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.

• Minimum age 21
• Valid unrestricted Ohio driver’s license upon appointment
• High school degree or equivalent (60 semester college credit hours or equivalent quarter credit hours of documented college course work is strongly preferred)
• 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 (Trainee candidates will attend academy post hire)

*Applies to Columbus Campus only.

Outstanding Medical and 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

• Eleven paid holidays annually
• 120 hours of sick leave
• 80 hours of vacation annually for 1-7 years of service, with a maximum of 200 hours annually after 25 years of service
• 240 overtime hours can be converted to compensatory time

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.

Salaries

Rates as of September 2024. Excludes additional incentives and shift differential. Years of service from other agencies are transferrable.

• Trainees - $70,000.00
• Year 1 - $72,446.40
• Year 2 - $77,313.60
• Year 3 - $87,006.40
• Year 4 - $98,945.60
• After 4 years - $112,590.40

*Overtime not included

Physical Fitness Standards

E-mail Kurt Farnsworth to have your name added to our police career opportunities notification list.

Job Announcement / Application Open - 30 Days

• The first step in becoming an Officer for The Ohio State University is to complete an application. Once the open application period has concluded, selected candidates will be notified of the testing requirements. Candidates who have applied for previous requisitions may apply for newly created requisition(s) without a waiting period.

Physical Fitness / Written Testing - 2 Weeks

• Testing is comprised of two sections, a Physical Fitness testing appointment and a written examination (Police Officer Selection Test – POST).

Physical Fitness

• Required physical fitness standards

Written Examination

• The written examination is administered through Stanard & Associates

Collection of Background Information (PHQ) - 2 Weeks

• Upon successful completion of the testing phase of the hiring process, candidates will be provided a Personal History Questionnaire (PHQ). This document along with application and any documentation provided by candidates will then undergo a thorough review.

Oral Panel Interview - 1 Month

• Selected candidates will participate in a Panel interview process.

Final Oral Interview - 2 Weeks

• Selected candidates will participate in an interview process with Police Division Senior Leadership.

Background Investigation - 90 Days

• A background investigator will conduct a thorough check of your employment history, criminal record, and references. Candidates should be aware that sensitive or confidential aspects of their personal lives may be explored.

Conditional Offer of Employment

• Panel recommendations, background investigations, and all documentation to this point in the hiring process will be reviewed by Police Division Senior Leadership. Final candidates will be presented a conditional offer of employment.

Pre-Employment Screening/Exams - 2 Weeks

• Final candidates will be scheduled for pre-employment screening / testing to include: Medical, Physical, Drug Screening, Polygraph, and Psychological Exam.

Final Offer of Employment

• Upon successful completion of all previous phases of the hiring process, candidates will be issued a final letter of offer. Candidates will receive on-boarding information to begin their career with The Ohio State University Police Division.