COLUMBUS, Ohio (AVC News) — Three Ohio law enforcement agencies have earned initial certification under statewide policing standards established by the Ohio Collaborative Community-Police Advisory Board, while 31 others have been recertified.
The Cardington Police Department in Morrow County, Enon Police Department in Clark County, and Richwood Police Department in Union County received initial certification.
Among the agencies earning recertification were the Cadiz Police Department in Harrison County, the Crooksville Police Department in Perry County, and the Wintersville Police Department in Jefferson County.
To become certified, agencies must adopt and implement standards covering the use of force and hiring and recruitment. Agencies are then recertified on a rotating three- to four-year cycle.
State officials said 619 law enforcement agencies across Ohio have now achieved certification, representing 29,727 officers, or more than 90% of all law enforcement officers in the state.
The Ohio Collaborative Community-Police Advisory Board was created in 2015 to establish uniform policing standards aimed at strengthening trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve. Additional standards address topics including community engagement, bias-free policing, body-worn cameras, officer wellness, interactions with people in crisis, and evidence management.
