Ohio Law Enforcement Agencies Continue Working to Improve Community-Police Relations

COLUMBUS – Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Public Safety Director Tom Stickrath Friday announced updated figures on the number of Ohio law enforcement agencies that have implemented Ohio’s statewide minimum standards on use of force, deadly force, hiring, and recruitment.

According to a report issued today by the Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services (OCJS), a total of 438 law enforcement agencies in Ohio have fully adopted the primary standards set by the Ohio Collaborative Community-Police Advisory Board. An additional 19 agencies are in the process of adopting the standards.

The policy standards, which define circumstances for use of force and deadly force and promote equal employment and non-discrimination, were developed by the Collaborative in an effort to improve the relationship between law enforcement and citizens. Since the establishment of the standards, 153 agencies have achieved recertification in those same standards.

“Now more than ever, it is important that our law enforcement agencies have a positive relationship with their communities,” said Director Stickrath. “I am pleased to see so many of our officers are dedicated to that effort and applaud them for their work.”

The report showed that 74% percent of Ohio’s population is served by a certified agency or an agency actively seeking certification. Also, 78% percent of law enforcement officers are employed by a certified agency or an agency actively seeking certification.

Additionally, 198 law enforcement agencies are certified in additional standards established by the Ohio Collaborative such as: community engagement; body worn cameras; law enforcement telecommunicator training; bias-free policing; and employee misconduct.

OCJS partnered with the Buckeye State Sheriffs’ Association and the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police to help certify Ohio’s law enforcement agencies.

To view the Law Enforcement Certification Public Report, which lists the certification status of all of Ohio’s law enforcement agencies, please visit: https://www.ocjs.ohio.gov/ohiocollaborative/