Ohio governor, AG, to announce law enforcement proposals

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Attorney General Dave Yost planned Wednesday to announce law enforcement proposals following days of protests over police treatment of minorities.

The Republican officeholders scheduled a news conference to discuss what they’re calling “meaningful law enforcement reform.”

Thousands of people have protested racism and police brutality in multiple Ohio communities since the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis last month.

Earlier this month, DeWine said the state will ensure that hundreds of non-compliant law enforcement agencies meet statewide performance standards. DeWine said the state is also adding guidelines to that list for responding to mass protests.

In addition, under a bill introduced June 11 by House Republicans, Ohio would create a statewide disciplinary database for violent officers and require psychological testing for all new police officers.

In 2015, a task force commissioned by DeWine — then attorney general — recommended Ohio should dramatically increase the amount of basic and advanced training it requires for police officers and reduce the number of police academies. Some training was boosted but no major changes happened with academies.

The same year, an advisory board commissioned by then Republican Gov. John Kasich created a series of standards on deadly force, recruiting and hiring, and other measures that departments must follow to receive a state certification.

As of this month, more than 440 agencies employing more than 25,000 officers, or about eight of every 10 Ohio officers, have met the state standards, according to the Department of Public Safety.

Both DeWine and Kasich’s task forces were created after a series of fatal police shootings in Ohio and nationally.