Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost Awards Akron Police Department as the First STAR Police Training Academy

City of Akron Press Release
From the desk of City of Akron Press Office
Published: 11-04-2021

Akron, Ohio, November 4 , 2021 — Yesterday, Ohio Attorney General (AG) Dave Yost visited Akron to announce a new recognition program for Police Training Academies and to present the Akron Police Department with the first ever STAR Police Training Academy certification. The STAR recognition is reserved for those academies that provide additional training, assessments, and have proven success of their cadets at the State exam.

“I am incredibly proud of the Akron Police Department for being the very first police academy in the State of Ohio to earn this honor,” said Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan. “It is a testament to our officer’s dedication and skill, and it exemplifies the work ethic of the Akron Police Department.  I hope our citizens take note of the proactive and advanced training being offered to APD officers and the award-winning drive to raise the bar.”

“The Akron Police Department and Chief Steve Mylett are models of outstanding police work, and that starts with proper training,” said AG Yost. “The Akron academy has earned this designation by going above and beyond the minimum requirements to ensure that officers receive the best training available.”

The Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission licenses basic training academies throughout the state, requiring 737 total hours of training. Academies recognized by the STAR Program must meet at least a dozen extra criteria, which were established by a seven-member peer board. Among the extra measures, an academy is asked to:

• Ensure that at least 85% of cadets eligible to take the State Certification Exam pass it
• Conduct periodic academic assessments – no fewer than four – to gauge the cadet’s retention of student performance objectives
• Provide training above minimum hours in three or more high-risk topics, for at least 15 cumulative hours
• Maintain or pursue the use of tech training/exposure for students, such as body cams, drones, etc.

Such extra measures help better prepare officers, making them even more effective in serving and protecting their communities.

 “The City of Akron and the Akron Police Department are proud to receive this prestigious designation. Our training staff has worked hard to meet the challenge set forth by Attorney General Yost and to take our training program to the next level,” said Akron Police Chief Steve Mylett.

As part of the application process, the Akron Police Department’s Training Academy completed a rigorous review of its policies and methods, conducted by the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy. All Ohio academies that provide basic training can request to be certified by AG Yost as a STAR Academy. Those interested should send inquiries to [email protected]

For further information, contact:
City of Akron Press Office
Phone: 330-375-2754
E-mail: [email protected]