Human Resources

Police Recruit 2017 - Applicant FAQs

1. What are some of the qualifications to become a Cincinnati Police Officer?

   21 years of age at time of appointment.

   Valid Driver’s License for a year prior to applying for the exam.

   U.S. Citizen or you must be in the process of becoming a U.S. Citizen.

   No Felony Convictions.

    

   Is there a maximum age limit?

   No. There is no maximum age limit.

    

   Is there a minimum age limit?

   Yes. Applicants must be 21 by the time they are appointed.

    

   Do I have to live in Ohio to take the police recruit exam?

   No, but you must reside in one of the following counties before you start the academy: Hamilton, Butler, Clermont or Warren

    

    

   What is the PHQ?

   The Personal History Questionnaire (PHQ) is a detailed packet that all applicants are required to complete in full and return. Applicants are advised to complete the packet in several sittings and to answer the questions as fully and truthfully as possible. The information is used by the Background and Recruiting Squad for the background investigation. Applicants are also required to provide additional information and documentation to the Squad as requested throughout the process.

    

   How long is the Academy?

   26 weeks

    

   What are the physical fitness requirements for the Physical Ability Test to become a Police Recruit?

   Step 3 of the selection process consists of a 300 meter run, 1-minute sit-up test, and a 1-minute push-up test. The standards are determined by age and gender. Please see the Physical Ability Test page or the video at http://vimeo.com/48158225 for more info. It may be necessary to open it in a different browser like Firefox or Chrome. You will also be able to watch this same video before your test.

    

   Disclaimer: The video provides examples of the exercises in the PAT; the actual test may differ.

    

   What are the physical fitness requirements that need to be met in order to pass the Academy and become a Police Officer?

   You must pass the Ohio Police Officer Training Academy standards which are determined by age and gender.  The run is a 1.5 mile distance run for time.

    

   Can I get veteran preference points?

   Yes, after step 3 is completed the points are added to passing scores.  Veterans receive 5 points and disabled veterans receive 10 points. To qualify you must present your DD-214 with an “Honorable Discharge” by the date of the first exam step, on March 19, 2016. The DD-214 Copy #4, with box #24 at the bottom, is the form that is needed. You must also live in the State of Ohio at the time you apply to take the exam. Please see the Veteran’s page for additional information.

    

   Note:

   There is only one version of the DD-214, however there are actually 8 copies.  When a veteran separates from service, they receive copy 1 & 4.  Copy 1 is usually considered the short version and copy 4 is considered the longer version.  Copy 4 contains the character of service (box #24) and reason for discharge as copy 1 doesn’t contain all the fields.  For most determination of benefits, copy 4 is requested to reflect if the individual was honorably discharged or not.

    

   What are some of the most common disqualifiers?

1. Marijuana usage within one year of announcement of the application process.
2. Not filling out Personal History Questionnaire (PHQ) completely:

1. Applicants do not list ALL information when asked.
2. Applicants are not truthful about information that may not have disqualified them if they had listed the information.
3. Appearing deceptive and having a significant discrepancy between the Polygraph and the PHQ.

    

   I cannot attend step 1 or step 3 of the exam process, or I missed my appointment. What do I do?

   There are no alternate exam dates for the Frontline National exam or physical ability test. Civil Service Commission Rules do not provide a procedure for alternate exam dates for Open to the Public exams, such as the Police Recruit process.

    

   Commission has consistently denied alternate exam dates for all reasons other than to fulfill requests for reasonable accommodations, including for scheduled vacations, missed appointments, family emergencies, and work obligations.

    

   Central HR handles scheduling for steps 1 and 3. Steps 4-8 are scheduled individually through the Police Department. Cancellations or rescheduled appointments for steps 4-8 must be made through the Background and Recruiting Squad.