police
Cincinnati police chief among opponents to lowering police minimum age
The leader of one of Ohio’s largest police forces does not support a bill that could bring younger officers to her department by lowering the minimum age from 21 to 18. Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge spoke against House Bill 84 on Wednesday, saying law enforcement agencies need resources for career pathways, not younger officers […]
Ohio speed limit could increase to 60 mph on all state routes, county roads, with exceptions
The following article was originally published on News5Cleveland.com and is published in the Ohio Capital Journal under a content-sharing agreement. Unlike other OCJ articles, it is not available for free republication by other news outlets as it is owned by WEWS in Cleveland. Ohio lawmakers may increase the speed limit from 55 to 60 mph […]
Bill to lower age of police officers enters Ohio House
The Ohio House version of a bill to lower the age to become a police officer across the state was introduced last week with equal parts support and scrutiny. House Bill 84’s co-sponsors, state Reps. Steve Demetriou, R-Bainbridge Twp., and Josh Williams, R-Oregon, said the bill is aimed at hampering a shortage of law enforcement […]
Congressional Black Caucus meets with Biden to push for police accountability
WASHINGTON — The Congressional Black Caucus met with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris last week to urge the administration to use its executive power for law enforcement reform, following criminal charges for police officers in the killing of a Black man in Memphis, Tennessee. “My hope is this dark memory spurs some […]
Sheffield Lake officer reveals new discrimination claims against former chief
A second officer from the Sheffield Lake Police Department has come forward with allegations of racist and now religious workplace harassment against the department’s former chief. Officer A.J. Torres alleged that then-chief Anthony Campo repeatedly produced and shared images that belittled his Catholic faith or caricatured his Latino heritage. “I don’t put away my nationality […]
Ohio Republicans introduce bill that would criminalize ‘swatting’
The following article was originally published on News5Cleveland.com and is published in the Ohio Capital Journal under a content-sharing agreement. Unlike other OCJ articles, it is not available for free republication by other news outlets as it is owned by WEWS in Cleveland. A new bill in the Ohio Senate would criminalize ‘swatting,’ which […]
Police hiring database measure gets hearing
More than a year after its introduction, a measure establishing a statewide database for police officer hiring got its first committee hearing. Still, the proposal may be a longshot in the GOP-controlled House. For years, reformers have called for such a database. They invoke officers like Timothy Loehmann, who shot and killed Tamir Rice in […]
Senate committee votes to scrap training, background checks for concealed carry permits
The hearing began with a moment of silence to commemorate the ninth anniversary of the Sandy Hook Elementary School Shooting, in which a young man shot and killed 20 children and six adults. It ended with Republicans on the Veterans and Public Safety Committee voting to send to the Senate floor legislation to remove training […]
Ohio’s prison workforce is 28% vaccinated, per state data; lowest rate among all state agencies
Ohio’s prison authority, the largest government agency in the state tasked with overseeing the 43,000 inmates in its custody, is the least vaccinated entity in Ohio’s government, according to state data based on employee-submitted records. About 28% of employees within the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction are vaccinated against COVID-19 and have submitted proof […]
House passes bill creating new criminal charges for protesters
Ohio House Republicans passed legislation Friday that would expand the definition of “obstruction of justice” broadly enough to capture protest activity, according to social justice activists and civil rights advocates who testified against the bill. The legislation would qualify failing to follow a “lawful order from a law enforcement officer” as the obstruction of justice. […]
Senate passes bill making new penalties for crimes against police
The Ohio Senate unanimously passed legislation Wednesday that would increase penalties on protesters and others for alleged offenses against police. Senate Bill 16 would create a new criminal offense: “unlawfully impeding public passage of an Emergency Service Responder (ESR).” It prohibits people from “recklessly obstructing” a highway, street, or sidewalk in such a manner as […]
House Republicans pitch $1,000 bonus for cops, EMS, firefighters
Ohio House Republicans announced Wednesday a proposal pay $1,000 bonuses to police, firefighters, and EMS workers. Relief dollars from the American Rescue Plan, President Joe Biden’s signature COVID-19 economic relief package, would pay for the checks. The plan at large would cost about $83 million, the sponsors said. Rep. Craig Riedel, R-Defiance, said at a […]