Meigs one of 445 Ohio law enforcement agencies committed to improving community-police relations
Conditions at the Meigs County Sheriff’s Office and Jail are being questioned with an environmental study being requested from the deputies’ union. Photo by Madalyn Wood.
Meigs one of 445 Ohio law enforcement agencies committed to improving community-police relations
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Public Safety Director Tom Stickrath has 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 445 law enforcement agencies in Ohio have fully adopted the primary standards set by the Ohio Collaborative Community-Police Advisory Board. An additional 49 agencies are in the process of adopting the standards.
In Meigs County, the only law enforcement agency currently certified is the Meigs County Sheriff’s Office.
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.
“These agencies have voluntarily engaged in the certification process and have demonstrated a true commitment to providing exceptional services to their communities,” said Governor DeWine.
The report showed that as of March 29, 2019 78 percent of Ohio’s population is served by a certified agency or an agency actively seeking certification. Also, 74 percent of law enforcement officers are employed by a certified agency or an agency actively seeking certification.
The Ohio Collaborative has also established standards in the following areas: 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.
