07/26/2012
THE SENTINEL POLICE ASSOCIATION
"FOREVER VIGILANT - FOREVER STRONG'
1889 CENTRAL PARKWAY
CINCINNATI, OHIO 45214..
MEDIA RELEASE
Recently, Cincinnati Police Chief James E. Craig appeared before the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission (OPOTC) Hearing Board to determine if he is required to complete the Ohio exam for police certification. The Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission requires executive officers, which are hired from out of state, to take a 30 hour course for certification in the State of Ohio. Chief Craig has completed that requirement. Chief Craig has taken the position that he should not be required to take the exam administered by the OPTC to become a certified Ohio Peace Officer.
Chief Craig was not hired by the City of Cincinnati to perform the duties of a Police Officer, but that as the top Police Executive, the Police Chief. His position is admirable; he has 35 years of police service, which include executive ranking positions, and he hold current certifications in a number of states in which he was not required to take an exam. Chief Craig is highly educated in the field of leadership and law enforcement. Holding these credentials would make him qualified to become Police Chief in any city within this country. Chief Craig holds his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management, a Master Degree in Management Public Administration, and currently he is a Doctoral Candidate for Management and Organizational Leadership for Phoenix University. He is also spokesman for the Phoenix University, reaching out to and encouraging Ohio citizens to further their education.
Prior to 1989 no police officer in the State of Ohio was required to take a State Certification exam to hold the position of police officer. There have been many who stated that they have taken the required OPOTC exam. That may be true, but prior to 1989, that exam held no merit. Everyone who became a Police Officer in the State of Ohio prior to 1989 had been grandfathered into the State Certification process. That includes all who have held the position of Police Chief and Assistant Police Chief within the Cincinnati Police Department. So, the question to be asked is.....”An entry level Police Certification Exam given to a veteran Police Executive, hired as a Police Chief, for the purpose of proving what?” There have been thousands grandfathered into this process throughout the State of Ohio. Many hold high ranking positions. Are they not qualified to hold their positions?
The Sentinel Police Association (SPA) completely supports and stands by Chief James E. Craig’s decision and efforts in challenging the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission regarding this issue.
Respectfully,
Phill Black
The Sentinel Police Association (SPA), Phill Black, President
