Members Present: Matthew Vanyo, Chief, Olmsted Township P.D. Jared Magyar, Director of Field Operations, Port of Cleveland Trevor Poole, Park Ranger, Cleveland Metroparks Rangers Members Absent: Steven Bartczak, Detective, Cuyahoga County Sheriffs Joe Grecol, Chief, Berea P.D. Phil Forrest, Sgt., Southwest General Hospital Security Grant, Singleton, Lt., Northeast Ohio Sewer District Lewis, Gary, Chief, Cleveland State University Meeting was called to order at 6:46 P.M. Welcome: Ernie Oergel welcomed all members and thanked them for their time. Ernie mentioned his great appreciation to each member for taking time out of their busy schedules and was looking forward to their suggestions and ideas to maintain the great reputation the Ranger Academy has earned over the past 13 years. Review and approval of the spring Advisory Council meeting minutes: Minutes were reviewed by all present. Matt Vanyo made the motion to approve the Spring minutes and Trevor Poole seconded the motion. All members voted to approve the minutes. Review purpose and scope of advisory councils: Ernie discussed the purpose of the advisory council. With that purpose in mind Ernie was looking for the council to continuing the process to make the academy a successful program. As stated in the past years meeting we are confined by the OPOTA curriculum, we can improve the program through instructors, equipment and timely communication. Tour of program facility and inspection of equipment: The meeting took place in Room 204, one of the two Criminal Justice classrooms. Since the members present are familiar with the facility and its equipment a tour was not conducted of the facility. Topics of discussion School mission statement: All in attendance reviewed the Mission Statement, agreed with how it was written. Ernie also mentioned that although we tried to have last year s
cadet s create a mission statement, we were not successful. The attempt will be made again this year. Review the non-discrimination statement for Polaris Career Center: All in attendance reviewed the Mission Statement and had no objection to its content. Program admission requirements: Ernie asked that all in attendance review the admission requirements. Ernie advised of the changes to admission for the 2016-17 Ranger Academy. It was decided to go ahead and follow the Ohio Peace Officers Training Councils (O.P.O.T.C.) requirements to pass a physical pre-assessment based on 15% of the Cooper s Standards that will begin in January 2017. Potential Cadets must also pass a drug test through Integrity Verifications. The council was advised that because of the changes to this year s cadet pool we have one of the most fit group of individuals seen in the academies history. Ernie mentioned that we have 24 registered candidates and to date there are no drop outs. The council was also advised of a situation that presented itself as we were conducting the registrations for potential new cadets. Polaris received an inquiry into the requirements to enter the academy and when advised about the Physical Fitness testing, the potential cadet inquired as to why they had to state a sex/gender. The potential cadet was reluctant to do so. Ernie was contacted about the situation from Polaris and was requested to look into the standing on this issue by the State of Ohio. The Ohio Peace Officer Training Council (OPOTC) has researched this matter based on case law and definitions of sex and gender. The conclusion says that by the definition, the sex of an individual is based on their anatomy. So, if an individual has anatomy of a male then they must declare themselves as a male even if they are in the process of transition. Should the person complete the transition process while in the academy, they must provide proof by a physician that the transition is complete. Based on the findings of the state you will see all forms ask for your sex as male or female. You will no longer see Gender. Ultimately it comes down to the medical physical form that must be completed to gain entry into the academy. The physician must indicate that the person they are examining is either a male or female. Based on the medical form the potential cadet would have to take the physical fitness test based on the sex indicated. Trevor Poole brought up how the state of Ohio would look at any potential police officer, that based on their religion, must wear the head dress. Matt Vanyo stated that there has been a legal case in this matter in the state of New York. He was pretty sure that the legal case stated that New York could require the officers to remove the head dress as required by their uniform code. Ernie indicated that he will look into the matter with the state of Ohio so we are prepared for the situation should it occur in the future. Coming into an open enrollment academy it presents a totally different situation.
Program content: The content for the program was reviewed by all present, no additions were made. Attendees understood that our course content is pretty much guided by OPOTA. The content was approved. Program length: Program length of 703 hours was discussed. Ernie advised that OPOTA s scheduled hours are set at 681, but the extra 22 hours are for programs required by the Adult Education Department to assist the students in gaining employment once they graduate from the program. Program length was approved by all attendees. Objectives: The objectives were reviewed by all present in the syllabus that was available to the members. No questions were asked. The objectives for the Natural Resources Ranger Academy were approved. Competency tests: Proficiency testing samples were presented at this time. The testing standards are all determined by OPOTC. Board members were advised that he was asking all instructors to create questions to assist in creating a practice exam. The students will be given pop quizzes at various points of the academy as was suggested last year. All members agreed. Instructional materials: All instructional materials that are used in the Natural Resources Ranger Academy are created by OPOTA and are the minimal instruction that must be followed. The attendees were advised that each instructor does have the ability to add to the curriculum, and most do, based on their skills and knowledge of the subject taught. There was no discussion in regards to making changes to the materials at this time. Members approved the current instructional materials. Instructional strategies: Ernie discussed the various strategies that the instructors use to engage the students. Most of the strategies are designed by Adult Educational Instruction principles taught and required by OPOTA to become a certified instructor. Instruction consists of PowerPoint presentations, group discussions, role playing, demonstrations and practical testing. Members approved the current methods being used in the classroom. Equipment: The council was advised that Ernie was awaiting a purchase order for the new weapons for the academy as we discussed in the fall of 2015. The academy will be trading in all the current weapons and purchasing 10 12 new guns. The High School program has purchased 3 new guns. We also ran into an issue with traffic cones that are used for our driving course. We seem to have lost 70 80 cones over the past year. In bringing this matter to the administrations attention, Chris Mitchell is working with the high school programs, that also use the traffic cones, to purchase new ones. We are also looking into finding a location to store the cones for protection of loss.
This year Ernie requested to have the program purchase two pairs of pants for the cadets. The past history required the cadets to purchase their own BDU tactical pants. Ernie stated the reason for the change was to have a matched uniform by all cadets. The look would be more professional. The attending members were all in agreement with the change. Method of evaluation: The council was advised by Ernie that OPOTA set our evaluation methods. Areas in which the cadets are tested include Physical Fitness & Conditioning, Firearms Qualifications, Driving practical s, subject control practical s, First Aid and AED, HazMat, WMD Exams, ICS, NIMS, Building Searches, etc. If the Cadets fail any of the areas prescribed by OPOTA they are not permitted to continue in the training program. All present approved the methods of evaluation. Level of skills and/or proficiency required for completion: Council was advised and are well aware that the levels are all determined by OPOTA. Master plan of instruction: Council was advised and is well aware that the levels are all determined by the Ohio Peace Officer Training Council (OPOTC). Employer feedback: Ernie advised that employers appear to be pleased with our students. Ernie also stated that the Cleveland Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA) and the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District (NEORSD) made a strong effort to speak with the cadets for recruiting purposes. Complete the Employer Verification Form Verification forms were discussed by Ernie and completed. Review Transcripts: Grading and evaluation system is entirely determined and changed only by Ohio Peace Officer Training Council (OPOTC). All proficiency testing is graded by Pass/Fail except for the final written exam. In order to become certified as a Peace Officer in the state a passing grade of 70% must be had on the written exam. The cadets have two chances at passing the exam. Review CPL Reports: Review of the CPL report was made available to all council members. Program Specific Agenda Items: Ernie advised the council that he would like to purchase some specialized dummies for the ASP baton class. These dummies show the strike zones for the cadets as they practice their baton techniques. By purchasing these dummies we keep the students and instructors from having to wear the Red Man suits. As the council is aware the Red Man suits were originally designed for
the protection of the wearer. The practice dummies would eliminate the Red Man suit, thus lowering the probability of injury to both students and instructors. Approximate cost for each dummy is $300. Each member was in complete agreement with the plan. All stating that any item that helps to prevent student injury would be a well worthwhile purchase. The council was advised that this could be the last year that the Cleveland Metroparks would be able to loan 4-5 cruisers for the cadets to take their driving class. With the current and future purchase s that the park system will be making there is a highly likely chance that not enough sedans will be available for the 2017-18 academy class. Ernie is asking for the council s approval to ask for Polaris to purchase some used sedans. Ernie will suggest that the school look at Govdeals.com and the state of Ohio s surplus equipment program. It is Ernie s thought that the mechanics class could maintain the cars as they are instructing the students in their class. The purchase will help two programs. Matt Vanyo and Jared Magyar brought up the possibility of asking auto dealerships for donations to the program. Ernie said that he would look into how to achieve this. Will possibly need to work with marketing for Polaris with this project. It was also recently brought to Ernie s attention that with the Polaris levy on the ballot, should it pass, there will be some design changes to the school. The main entrance to the school will be moved from facing Old Oak Boulevard to facing the main student parking lot. The question will be if there are going to be any changes to the student lot. Should they place island s or lights in the lot design we will have a big problem in where to hold the driving class for the academy. The changes could lead to locating an area large enough to conduct the training or renting the space at Tri-C west campus. Ernie will look into this. We will also conduct a law enforcement job fair to try and help this year s cadets get recruited by various agencies in the area. Ernie asked the members as to wether or not to invite northeast Ohio agencies or go statewide. There are agencies throughout this state looking for officers and with the cadet numbers down, it could be a great opportunity for our cadets, if they are willing to move. Matt Vanyo felt that it cannot hurt to inquire of any agency throughout the state. Question was if students are willing to leave the area. With some discussion by all, it was determined to take a survey of the cadets to see what they are willing to do. It was also determined to invite past cadets who still are eligible and looking for positions as police officer s. The entire membership talked about attending college job fairs to conduct recruiting for the Polaris Academy. We thought that if we could create a brochure on the academy along with a video to show, then go out to area college campus the cadet potential could increase. Matt Vanyo stated we should also give some small memento, such as a water bottle, lanyard, etc., it would help interested students remember who we are. Trevor Poole mentioned that the Metroparks has been going around to area campus recruiting for the open ranger positions. Trevor advised to speak with them for opportunities on locations and dates to attend some of the recruitment fairs.
Finally, the members were advised that the Ohio Peace Officer Training Council (OPOTC) has recommended a continuation of adjusting the legal section of the program and add a class called Under 100. The Under 100 class is about reducing the deaths of police officers throughout the country in any given year below 100. Ernie advised that he will be attending the November training commission meeting to see what changes are approved for the next academy class. How many hours this will add is unknown at this time. Questions and comments: Ernie asked if there were any further questions. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:58P.M. Spring Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday April 26, 2017.