Ohio Rev. Code § 5503.09 (2026)

The superintendent of the state highway patrol, with the approval of the director of public safety, may designate one or more persons to be special police officers to preserve the peace and enforce the laws of this state with respect to persons and property under their jurisdiction and control. The officers are vested with the same powers of arrest as police officers under section 2935.03 of the Revised Code when exercising their responsibilities on lands owned by the Ohio expositions commission and on those state properties and institutions owned or leased by the state where the officers are assigned by the superintendent.

Special police officers shall be required to complete peace officer basic training for the position to which they have been appointed as required by the Ohio peace officer training commission as authorized in section 109.73 of the Revised Code. They also shall take an oath of office, wear the badge of office, and provide bond to the state in the amount of twenty-five hundred dollars for the proper performance of their duties.