SUMMIT COUNTY, OHIO—Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro and Sheriff Kandy Fatheree are sponsoring police academy scholarships for qualified Deputy Sheriff candidates. Summit County residents interested in applying for a scholarship should complete the survey at https://sccares.formstack.com/forms/sheriff_cadet_recruitment. After completing the survey, applicants must complete a physical fitness assessment, fingerprints, a general physical and a drug test by May 21, 2021. The first day of class for both the full-time and part-time police academy is August 2, 2021.
“This innovative program meets two important needs in Summit County: the need to replace retiring deputies and the need to remove financial barriers for individuals interested in a law enforcement career,” said Executive Shapiro. “This collaboration is making a difference, not just in the lives of the scholarship recipients, but for the entire community. We are keeping our residents safe and providing a chance at a good-paying career in public service.”
The Deputy Sheriff recruitment program was launched in 2019 in response to anticipated retirements within the Sheriff’s current workforce. Leveraging existing workforce funding, the Sheriff’s Office, the Executive’s Department of Job and Family Services, the OhioMeansJobs Center, United Labor Agency and the University of Akron partnered to provide the scholarships. Nine residents who received scholarships in 2019 and 2020 are now working as Deputy Sheriffs.
“As Sheriff, one of my primary goals is to increase diversity among our workforce. This program removes socioeconomic barriers, like the cost of tuition, to make sure anyone who wants to serve their community has a chance to do so,” said Sheriff Fatheree. “For residents who have dreamed about working in law enforcement, but could not afford to attend the police academy or purchase course materials, now is the chance to make that dream a reality.”
Applicants selected to receive a scholarship will receive tuition, uniforms and additional resources needed to successfully complete the police academy coursework. The program guarantees employment with the Sheriff’s Office upon graduation from the police academy.
For more information, please contact Commander Bill Holland at 330-643-2114 or wholland@sheriff.summitoh.net.
