(LONDON, Ohio) -- Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced today the formation of a special working group to conduct a thorough review of the quality, availability, and practical application of peace officer training.
Attorney General DeWine made the announcement during a special meeting this morning of the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission.
"Over the past several months, officer-involved shootings and use-of-force situations across Ohio and our nation have ended in tragedy. Improving the trust between police and the communities they serve is vital to the functioning of our state and the safety of our communities," said Attorney General DeWine. "Equally important is ensuring that officers who encounter dangerous, life-threatening situations have the knowledge, skills, and judgment necessary to react in an appropriate manner. As we examine all aspects of this issue, it is only appropriate that we look at police training."
Attorney General DeWine's full statement can be found here.
Members of the working group will present the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission with their recommendations once the review is complete.
Members of the commission include:
- Rev. Dr. David Cobb, Emmanuel Baptist Church, Cleveland
- Sergeant Ramon Diaz, Delaware Police Department
- Detective Regina Dudley, Columbus Police Department
- Bishop Joey Johnson, The House of the Lord, Akron
- Chief Joe Morbitzer, Westerville Police Department
- Tony Ortiz, Vice President of Latino Affairs, Wright State University
- Vince Peterson, Trumbull County Adult Probation Department
- Terry Russell, Executive Director of National Alliance on Mental Illness for Ohio
- Officer Sarah Shendy, Copley Police Department
- Chris Smitherman, Cincinnati City Council
- Dr. Reggie Wilkinson, Former Director of Ohio Dept. of Rehabilitation and Correction
- Lieutenant Colonel George Williams, Ohio State Highway Patrol
- Rev. Dr. Daryl Ward, Omega Baptist Church, Dayton
- Prosecutor Andy Wilson, Clark County Prosecutor's Office
- Major Daryl Wilson, Montgomery County Sheriff's Office
- Sheriff Keith Wood, Meigs County Sheriff's Office
Additional information regarding the members of the commission can be found here.
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Media Contacts:
Dan Tierney: 614-466-3840
Jill Del Greco: 614-466-3840