Gov. Mike DeWine (R-Ohio) (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 7:30 PM PT – Wednesday, April 21, 2021
Ohio’s governor has unveiled a new police reform package that proposes millions in grants to local law enforcement agencies. On Wednesday, Governor Mike Dewine (R) said the goal will be to build trust between officers and their communities while increasing police accountability.
Some things in front of the general assembly in the budget: $10 million grant for local law enforcement body cameras and $1 million grant to support agencies to recruit women and minorities. @nbc4i
— Adrienne Robbins (@ARobbinsTV) April 21, 2021
If it is passed, the bill would create a Peace Officer Oversight Committee, a database of officer discipline and require police training once a year, among other provisions.
DeWine said the bill has been in the works for some time and does include input from law enforcement.
The bill will also require an independent investigation of officer-involved critical incidents.
— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) April 21, 2021
“If this bill is passed, it will put Ohio at the forefront,” Gov. DeWine said. “We will be able to say we have gotten serious about this, we respect our police. A great majority of police do wonderful jobs. We want to make sure that we have uniformity in policing and that we make it as professional as we can.”
The bill has headed to the Ohio State Assembly for debate.
