Programs

Take Control Teen Driving is a unique program available through the Medina County Sheriff’s Office.  The program’s mission is to help teen drivers gain the experience and confidence they need in difficult driving situations. New drivers have learned the rules of the road, but now it is time to put them in real situations with police officers to help them learn the skills they would otherwise learn through trial and error. The three-hour class is offered on the 3rd Saturday of each month and is free of charge. Law Enforcement officers, from several agencies in Medina County and beyond, teach teens advanced training in accident-avoidance techniques such as: emergency braking, skid recovery and collision avoidance. The program was started with the help of three local families who lost teens in fatal car accidents due to inexperience. The program has continued to grow in attendance and popularity.

While focusing on Medina County teens, the program is open to any teen driver who wants to learn how to be a safer and better driver.  Since its inception, Take Control has had over 1,500 teens complete the class. The class is open to all licensed teen drivers, age 16-19.

In 2019, through a collaborative effort between Medina County Law Enforcement, the Medina County Career Center, Ehrbar Angels Foundation, Jessica Lynn Schaffer Memorial Fund, M-Star Foundation, Westfield Insurance, Judge Dunn of the Medina County Juvenile Court, and the State of Ohio’s Department of Public Safety, a newly constructed driving pad was erected at the Medina County Career Center. Classes started on the new driving pad in the spring of 2019 and the ribbon cutting for the driving pad was held in June of 2019. The driving pad is a 2.5-acre cement lot, which is the first of its kind in the State of Ohio that focuses on free, hands-on advanced teen driving education.

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The Medina County Sheriff’s Office, Law Enforcement Explorer Post 2552 has held a charter through the Great Trail Council for over 25 years. The Post is Co-Ed for youth interested in Law Enforcement who are between the ages of 14-21 and live in Medina County. Our Post also enjoys a partnership with MCPAL who provides additional opportunities for our Explorers, such as trips to see other larger law enforcement agencies, and is the sponsor of our Junior Explorer membership, for youth 12-14.

Post 2552 meets mainly during the school year with Explorers assisting at community events during the summer break. Every year our Post participates in the State Explorer Competition which is held in different locations throughout Ohio. Twice our Post has hosted the State Competition here in Medina County. The members of our Post are extremely active in giving back to the community through service projects which have included Shop with a Cop, Blue Tip Parade, Senior Day at the Fair, Windfall Safety Town, Montville Spooky Walk, MCPAL Food Pantry, and many more events.

Community safety education is important. In 2022, Post 2552 participated in Medina Safe Communities first mocktail event. This was an event that promoted alcohol free holiday celebrations. Post 2552 took 1st place for the best overall drink, which they named “Back the Blue”.

Our Advisors have a wide range of law enforcement experience, within the Medina County Sheriff’s Office and other agencies throughout the U.S. In 2021 our Post Advisor was presented with the William H. Spurgeon II Award, which is a national honor and the highest recognition for individuals and organizations contributing significant leadership to the exploring program.

Many of our past members have gone onto successful Law Enforcement careers throughout the United States. Others have gone on to military careers or law enforcement related careers. Some come back to help our current members when they can, sharing their experiences, helping to develop our next generation of law enforcement professionals.

The Juvenile Diversion Program is designed for first time juvenile traffic offenders and some minor criminal offenses. In partnership with Medina County Juvenile Judge Kevin W. Dunn, the Juvenile Diversion program was established as a voluntary program that utilizes hands on driving exercises and classroom instruction taught by police officers from various police departments in Medina County. The program is 3 hours and is taught at the Medina County Career Center. This program is an alternative to going through the Juvenile Court system and having a juvenile record.

The following agencies are participating in the Juvenile Diversion program:

Medina County Sheriff’s Office

Montville Police Department

Medina Police Department

Medina Township Police Department

Brunswick Police Department

Brunswick Hills Police Department

Spencer Police Department

Wadsworth Police Department

Seville Police Department

Westfield Police Department

Hinckley Police Department

Recommendation for the program is at the discretion of the ticketing law enforcement officer. Participation is voluntary and the class will be scheduled for the teen and may not be re-scheduled to fit the teens schedule.