SUMMIT COUNTY, OHIO—Summit County has been recognized with an Achievement Award from the National Association of Counties (NACo). The awards honor innovative, effective county government programs that strengthen services for residents. NACo recognized County Executive Ilene Shapiro’s collaboration with the Sheriff’s Office, the OhioMeansJobs Center and the University of Akron to establish a police academy scholarship program.
“Summit County is honored NACo has recognized our innovative and collaborative program. By providing police academy scholarships we are meeting two important needs: 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.”
In response to a large number of deputies becoming retirement eligible, Executive Shapiro and the Sheriff’s Office worked together with the OhioMeansJobs Center and University of Akron to establish a police academy scholarship program. The program leverages existing workforce funding and focuses on recruiting diverse candidates. The goal of this program is to remove barriers for individuals who want to serve their community, but face socioeconomic barriers. Each scholarship recipient receives full tuition, a parking pass, a textbook, a drug screening and psychological exam and school uniforms. Following graduation from the police academy and passage of the state law enforcement certification exam, program participants are guaranteed a job in the Summit County Sheriff’s Office. There are currently 11 program participants employed as Deputy Sheriffs.
“We’re proud to be a partner with the Executive’s Office and OhioMeansJobs in helping to ensure that those interested in serving and protecting our communities are not discouraged by financial or other constraints, and that our deputies reflect the wonderful diversity of our county. Its innovative ideas and collaborations like these that keep Summit County moving in the right direction,” said Sheriff Kandy Fatheree.
Nationally, NACo Achievement Awards are given in 18 different categories that reflect the vast, comprehensive services counties provide. The categories include children and youth, criminal justice and public safety, county administration, information technology, health, civic engagement and many more.
