Police licensure in Ohio – an idea whose time is right: editorial

Jeffrey Scott, former govt director of the Ohio Peace Officer Coaching Academy and former police chief at Notre Dame School, has rather a lot occurring in retirement, together with working part-time as a police officer whereas serving as pastor of Religion Lutheran Church in Millersburg.

Oh — and in addition sending letters to all 99 Ohio Home representatives and 33 Ohio senators urging them to draft and move a legislation requiring — much like barbers, cosmetologists, legal professionals and personal investigators in Ohio — that each one legislation enforcement officers within the state be licensed and skilled appropriately and meet sure skilled necessities for the job.

Scott made the same proposal two years in the past with out a lot traction. This time, there’s curiosity, he mentioned in a short telephone interview yesterday. He met with a number of legislators final week, and has a gathering this week with a consultant with a management position. And whereas all of them are Democrats — a minority within the Normal Meeting — they’ve pointed him to Republicans doubtless additionally to have an interest.

They need to have an interest.

Police licensure is a good concept — to regularize skilled necessities and guarantee persevering with coaching. In gentle of the horrible occasions in Memphis and different locations that uncovered police cultures and practices deeply in want of reform, Ohio could be sensible to place legislative heft behind law-enforcement licensure. At a minimal, Scott’s proposal deserves vast consideration and cautious consideration.

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