OCJS Announces Next Round of Ohio Law Enforcement Agencies Pursuing Accreditation

The Office of Criminal Justice Services today announced that 20 Ohio law enforcement agencies will pursue accreditation through the new Ohio Collaborative Law Enforcement Accreditation Program. This second phase follows the announcement in February of the first 10 agencies in the state to complete the process.

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

The phase II agencies include Beachwood Police Department, Beaver Township Police Department, Bridgeport Police Department, Cleveland State University Police Department, Delaware County Sheriff’s Office, Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office, Gallia County Sheriff’s Office, Grove City Division of Police, Hamilton Township Police Department, Huber Heights Police Department, Logan Police Department, Medina County Sheriff’s Office, Medina Police Department, Mercer County Sheriff’s Office, Miami County Park District, Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office, Pioneer Police Department, Springboro Police Department, Summit County Sheriff’s Office, and Wright State University Police Department.

“Accreditation is a way for local law enforcement agencies to show their communities that they are meeting Ohio’s high standards and are among the top agencies in the state,” said Governor DeWine. “I’m pleased to see these 20 agencies step up and take on the challenge of being among the best of the best.”

The program, which is the only state-administered accreditation program in the nation that does not charge law enforcement agencies to participate, is voluntary and open to all law enforcement agencies in the state. 

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 the Ohio Department of Public Safety’s Office of Criminal Justice Services and consults with the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police and the Buckeye State Sheriffs’ Association.