Edison State Police Academy Students to Graduate June 17

Edison State Community College’s Peace Officer Academy will honor 11 students with a graduation ceremony on June 17, 2025, following their successful completion of the 23-week program.

Students of the program met for six days each week, beginning on January 6, totaling over 750 hours of training. The Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission certifies the curriculum of the program, which covers all aspects of law enforcement training, including administration, firearms, subject control, and investigation.

“This is another exceptional class of cadets willing to serve and protect citizens. They’ll serve proudly and be an asset to any agency willing to give them the opportunity,” said Joseph Mahan, Basic Peace Officer Academy Commander. “I wish them the best and much success in their chosen profession of being a law enforcement officer.”

Academy students can continue their education at Edison State and earn an associate degree by taking classes on campus or online. Following successful completion of the police officer program, cadets are required to pass the state certification exam.

Edison State offered the first Basic Peace Officer Academy in 2003, and the class completing academic requirements this spring is from the 50th academy. Throughout its history, the program has enrolled 772 students.

Of the total number of cadets who qualified to sit for the state certification exam and passed, 81.7% have been sworn in as law enforcement officers in Ohio, including 100% of cadets in the fall 2023 and spring 2024 academies. Edison State academy graduates represent 78 different police agencies in the state.

So far in the 2025 calendar year, six academy graduates have been sworn in at agencies such as Kettering Health Network Police Department, Miami County Sheriff’s Office, New Paris Police Department, Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, and Troy Police Department. During the 2024 calendar year, 23 academy graduates were sworn in at various agencies.

The next Peace Officer Academy will begin July 7, 2025. For more information or to apply, email Veronica French, Manager of Professional & Technical Programs, or call 937.778.7865. Those interested in entering the academy must be 21 years of age and eligible to own a weapon.

Spring 2025 Peace Officer Academy students who completed credit hour requirements include Christopher Banas of Tipp City, Seth Conway of Greenville, Chase Gambill of Piqua, Kyle Gillem of Sidney, Austin Hines of Troy, Garrett Kramer of Sidney, Timothy Lunsford of Covington, Braden Russell of Greenville, Colby Starliper of Sidney, William Tinsman of Troy, and Cole Williams of Troy.