Ohio Overhauls Police Training Curriculum Starting July

Ohio will implement the most comprehensive overhaul of police training in decades starting July 1, with mandatory adoption by January 1, 2026, aimed at equipping officers with practical skills for modern-day challenges. The updated curriculum replaces 72 hours of outdated content with training focused on active shooter response, crisis mitigation, de-escalation, critical decision-making, communications, mediation, and incident debriefs, based on recommendations from the 2023 Blue Ribbon Task Force commissioned by Attorney General Dave Yost. The total minimum training hours remain at 740, but the revised program prioritizes real-world scenarios to better prepare officers. Additionally, a modified graduation fitness standard now allows cadets to graduate if they pass two of three fitness tests (sit-ups, push-ups, 1.5-mile run) while meeting at least 75% progress in the third, supporting recruitment efforts; since implementation, 91 additional cadets have graduated who would have otherwise been disqualified. Yost emphasized that these changes are a significant investment in the future of policing in Ohio, aiming to strengthen the force, align training with current job demands, and improve community relations. This reform reflects nationwide trends toward enhanced officer preparedness and improved police-citizen interactions.