More than 500 Ohio probation officers are expected to meet in Columbus later this week for the 14th Annual Line Officers Training Institute hosted by the Ohio Chief Probation Officers Association (OCPOA).

As the largest probation officer training in Ohio, the institute includes the presentation of the prestigious George W. Farmer Line Officer of the Year Award that recognizes a probation or community corrections officer who has performed their assigned duties in an outstanding manner and/or made significant contributions to the respective probation or community corrections profession at the local, regional, or state level.

Developed to provide training in the increasingly complex tasks probation officers are required to perform daily, the institute also balances the needs of the community for protection and the needs of the offender for long-term change. More than 40 sessions include topics on working with veterans, risk assessment, domestic violence, substance abuse, gangs, and mental illness. Other sessions target the work of juvenile officers including topics on schools and courts, mentoring, and legislative updates.

The two-day event begins Thursday. An inaugural “Skills Expo” Thursday night will allow officers to test their skills at seven stations set up around the hotel on street drug identification, searching rooms and vehicles, cuffing, and shooting.

Adult probation officers will be able to obtain training hours to meet their new requirement for 20 hours of continuing education that went into effect January 1. A second set of standards, for new officers, will go into effect January 1, 2014 that will require them to complete 18 modules on topics designed to give them foundational information for their new profession.

Developed by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction in partnership with the Ohio Supreme Court and the OCPOA, the minimum training standards were a requirement of House Bill 86 with goals of standardizing training, reducing recidivism, and increasing public safety.

Access the registration brochure.