SUMMIT COUNTY, Ohio — More than 100 people came out Tuesday afternoon for their shot at a full scholarship to the police academy for the Summit County Sheriff's Office.
"I'm walking around with a smile on my face and I'm telling everybody, hey I'm finally getting to do it," said Jonathan Minich.
Minich, like so many others, has wanted a job in law enforcement since he can remember, but the price tag of the academy was too much for this young dad.
"My whole goal was to enroll into the police academy at Akron when I was 20 and a half, five years ago," he said.
Now, that all changes thanks to the Summit County Sheriff's Office handing out 16 scholarships for its academy.
"I field calls quite a bit and sometimes the only barrier between people getting into a career in law enforcement is the cost of the academy," said Inspector Bill Holland of the Summit County Sheriff's Office.
Holland and other law enforcement officers, welcomed over 100 potential candidates on Tuesday during a recruiting event at Ohio Means Jobs Summit County in Akron.
"We had a large group of people that were hired in the early 90s and they are now eligible to retire," said Holland.
He says about 80 officers could leave the force over the next year or two.
The scholarship is first come, first serve, but prospective recruits must meeting the following criteria:
- Must be 20 and a half years of age or older at the time of application
- Must be in good physical condition
- Must have a valid driver's license
- Must NOT have any felony or drug convictions
- Must NOT have any arrests for domestic violence
If you get your application in quick and and fulfill all of the requirements, the roughly $4,500 academy is free.
Minich is hoping he'll be one of the 16 folks chosen for a full-ride because his son is already counting on him.
"He's already talking to all of his friends 'My dads going to be a police officer-I get to ride in a cool car'," he said.
The next recruiting session is Saturday, March 30 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Ohio Means Jobs Summit County, 1040 East Tallmadge Avenue in Akron.
