(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced today the formation of the Attorney General's Advisory Group on Law Enforcement Vehicular Pursuits.
Attorney General DeWine created the group to examine the issue of law enforcement pursuits and to identify or create a model vehicle pursuit policy that can be used by law enforcement agencies across the state.
The first meeting of the group was held today.
"Every year, people die in crashes on Ohio's roads after drivers flee police, and many of those killed are innocent bystanders in the wrong place at the wrong time," said Attorney General DeWine. "This advisory group will take an in-depth look at pursuits to determine best practices."
According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, at least 352 people, including one Ohio peace officer and 147 bystanders, were killed in law enforcement pursuits in Ohio between 1982 and 2014.
The advisory group will be chaired by Canton Public Safety Director Andrea Perry and will include the following representatives from law enforcement, local government, and the public:
- Erik Abrahamsen, Motorists Insurance
- Arlene Anderson, Cleveland NAACP
- Chief Joseph Andzik, German Township Police Department
- Lt. Chad Carson, Licking County Sheriff's Office
- Dr. Rockney Carter, Montgomery County IMPACT/Zion Baptist Church
- Lori Cope, Ohio Municipal League/Mansfield Safety Service Director
- Lt. James Fitsko, Marion Police Department
- Prosecutor James Flaiz, Geauga County Prosecutor's Office
- Judge William Grim (Ret.), Athens County Municipal Court
- Joseph Hegedus, Ohio Patrolmen's Benevolent Association
- Ken Hilty, County Risk Sharing Authority
- Ric Oxender, Ohio Conference of AAA Clubs
Advisory group members will examine policies in use across the state and hear different perspectives on the topic from law enforcement, community members, and others.
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Media Contacts:
Dan Tierney: 614-466-3840
Jill Del Greco: 614-466-3840