OCJS Announces Grants for Local Law Enforcement Agencies Seeking Accreditation

(COLUMBUS, Ohio) – The Office of Criminal Justice Services (OCJS) today announced nearly $200,000 in grant funding to help local law enforcement agencies achieve an accreditation standard.

Twenty-three law enforcement agencies in 13 counties will receive federal funding through the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program. Nearly all the agencies will use the funds for property and evidence room enhancements to help meet the standard through the new Ohio Collaborative Law Enforcement Accreditation Program.

In our region, the Marion Police Department will receive just over $8400, and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office will receive just over $12,500.

“Maintaining an accurate inventory in law enforcement property rooms is crucial to achieving justice for crime victims,” said Andy Wilson, Director of the Ohio Department of Public Safety, which houses OCJS. “It’s so very important that the chain of custody for evidence remains strong. These grants will help to ensure that happens.” 

Law enforcement agencies were invited to apply for funding to enhance or upgrade their facilities and systems related to accreditation in the following ways:

• one-time subscriptions to property or asset management software.
• security enhancements or software upgrades for property and evidence rooms.
• secure storage areas that can assist with surrender of firearms, deadly weapons, and ammunition.
• tools to assist with a comprehensive inventory and/or annual audit of sexual assault forensic exam (SAFE) kits or related temperature-specific biological storage needs.
• upgrading computer systems to enhance the accreditation process.
• or another element that the agency could demonstrate will assist them in meeting an Accreditation Standard.

Governor Mike DeWine created the accreditation program in 2024 to recognize law enforcement agencies that voluntarily meet or exceed nearly three dozen state standards of professional excellence that address core responsibilities such as professional conduct, bias-free policing, crisis intervention, and community engagement.

A total of 24 law enforcement agencies have fully met Ohio’s standards of professional excellence, and several other agencies are working toward accreditation, including several receiving the COPS funding announced today.

Law enforcement agencies interested in accreditation can find more information on the Ohio Collaborative Law Enforcement Accreditation Program’s website. Collaborative staff work with agencies seeking accreditation to ensure their local policies and practices meet state standards. 

The accreditation program expands on a separate program – the Ohio Collaborative Law Enforcement Certification Program – which has certified more than 600 law enforcement agencies on specific best practices regarding use of force and law enforcement recruitment, hiring, and screening. All certification standards are considered mandatory for accreditation.  

The Ohio Collaborative Community-Police Advisory Board was created in 2015 to strengthen law enforcement’s relationship with the public. It works in coordination with OCJS and consults with the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police and the Buckeye State Sheriffs’ Association.