(The Center Square) – Ohioans now know if police officers left a job voluntarily or were fired and the basic circumstances surrounding the separation because of changes in the state’s training and records portal.
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced changes to the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy training and records portal to increase transparency.
The changes now list the reason for a peace officer’s separation from a department, including:
• Resignation – in good standing.
• Resignation – under investigation.
• Resignation – in lieu of termination.
• Retirement.
• Retirement – under criminal investigation.
• Criminal Conviction.
• Termination.
• Death (line of duty or other).
Agency chiefs and county sheriffs across the state asked for the changes.
“We want Ohio to continue to set the standard for good policing,” Yost said. “From the time an officer first puts on their badge to when they hang it up, transparency will help keep quality cops on the streets of our communities.”
Also, the portal consolidates appointment history and shows all training records. Previously, only in-person trainings could be viewed by the public.
“Transparency fosters trust and these changes make it easier to build that trust,” Morrow County Sheriff John Hinton said. “Our common goal of keeping people safe is achievable when a community has confidence in its first responders.”
The changes are expected to make it easier for agencies to meet annual reporting requirements for rosters, including adding or removing officers from employment lists.
“Hiring can be tough, and we appreciate the streamlining of accurate information regarding officer employment history, trainings and academy information,” Chief Dave Warrick with the Village of Strasburg Police Department said. “The ease of access means our department can spend less time on hunting down details, and more time doing what our community needs.”