Rep. Sweeney's Bipartisan Bill Eliminating Quotas for Law Enforcement Officers Passes House Committee

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Bride Rose Sweeney (D-Westlake) announced her bipartisan legislation House Bill (HB) 333 to prohibit ticket and arrest quotas unanimously passed the House Homeland Committee by a 9-0 vote on Wednesday. Jointly sponsored by Rep. Kevin Miller (R-Newark), the legislation defines a quota as a mandate of a certain number of arrests made or citations issued for any offense that a local or state police officer must meet in a specified time period.

“Traffic tickets and arrest quotas distract good police officers from doing their job, which is to keep our communities safe,” said Rep. Sweeney. “This bill will help give Ohioans confidence that officers are prioritizing public safety, not budget shortfalls, when writing traffic tickets and will help our cities recruit and retain the next generation of law enforcement officers.”

Legislation banning quotas has been enacted in 25 other states, including Arkansas, Florida, Iowa, Louisiana, South Carolina, Texas, Tennessee, Michigan, and Pennsylvania.

HB 333 is also supported by the Ohio Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association (OPBA) and the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP).

“The Ohio Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association commends Representatives K. Miller and Sweeney for working to prohibit ticket and arrest quotas and avoid unnecessary conflict between law enforcement and the people we proudly serve. When agencies arbitrarily dictate a certain number of arrests or citations that an officer must issue to keep their job, the trust between the public and law enforcement, as well as the very nature of constitutional policing, is needlessly tested,” said George Sakellakis, OPBA Director of Organization.

“Ohioans must be assured that any citation or arrest is valid, legitimate, and necessary,” Sakellakis continued. “Police Officers, Sheriff’s Deputies, and Troopers are true professionals who risk their lives to serve our communities, not revenue generators.  They got into this business to protect our neighborhoods, not occupy them.  We are thankful that the legislature is tackling this important issue and urge them to pass this bill and end the practice of quotas in Ohio.”

HB 333 awaits further consideration on the floor of the Ohio House of Representatives.