Free Advanced Traffic Training Now Open to Ohio Officers Through New Grant
Community — Ohio
A $292,450 grant lets Ohio officers take seven advanced OPOTA traffic safety and impaired driving courses at no cost through September 2027.
Free Advanced Traffic Training Now Open to Ohio Officers Through New Grant Attorney General Andy Wilson Announces $292,450 to Cover Seven OPOTA Courses on Impaired Driving and Crash Investigation Police officers across Northeast Ohio and the rest of the state can now take advanced traffic safety training without paying a dime. Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson announced the grant funding from London, Ohio, home of the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy. The training covers impaired driving enforcement, crash investigation and speed measurement. Neither officers nor their departments will pay for the courses. Grant Comes From Ohio Department of Public Safety The Attorney General’s Office received a Traffic Safety Grant totaling $292,450. The money comes from the Ohio Department of Public Safety. It will pay for seven advanced courses offered through the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy, known as OPOTA. “Advanced training equips law enforcement with the best tools and skills to keep Ohioans safe at home, at work and on our roadways,” Wilson said. “This grant is an investment in stronger policing and safer communities.” Seven Courses Eligible for Free Enrollment Officers can choose from these OPOTA courses: SFST (Standardized Field Sobriety Testing) Instructor ARIDE (Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement) Traffic Crash Level 1: Collision Investigation Advanced Traffic Collision Investigation Level 2 Vehicle Dynamics RADAR and LIDAR ESMD Operator RADAR and LIDAR ESMD Instructor (NHTSA-approved certification) What This Means for Local Departments Training budgets can be tight for smaller police departments. Free courses let agencies send officers for specialized skills without pulling money from other needs. Instructor level courses also allow trained officers to bring that knowledge back and teach others in their own departments. How Officers Can Register Officers can sign up through OPOTA Online. There are no upfront costs tied to the training. The grant money can be used through September 2027.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Ohio peace officer traffic safety training grant?
It is a $292,450 Traffic Safety Grant awarded to the Ohio Attorney General’s Office by the Ohio Department of Public Safety. It pays for seven advanced traffic safety courses at OPOTA.
Who can take the free OPOTA traffic courses?
Ohio peace officers are eligible. The training is free for both the officers and their agencies.
What courses are covered by the grant?
Covered courses include SFST Instructor, ARIDE, Traffic Crash Level 1, Advanced Traffic Collision Investigation Level 2, Vehicle Dynamics, and RADAR and LIDAR operator and instructor training.
How do Ohio officers register for the free training?
Officers register through OPOTA Online. There are no upfront costs.
How long is the grant funding available?
The grant money can be used through September 2027.