Williams Introduces Legislation to Lower Minimum Age for Police Officers

COLUMBUS – State Representatives Steve Demetriou (R-Bainbridge Twp.) and Josh Williams (R-Oregon) have introduced legislation that will lower the minimum age a person can become a police officer.

Current law only allows individuals 21-years-old or older to become police officers.  The legislation will lower the age to 18-years-old. 

“As a platoon leader in the Army, I deployed to Afghanistan with young men under the age of 21 working in high-stress environments,” Demetriou said. “I witnessed these men make critical decisions on their own, so I ask, why are we ok with sending our youth overseas to defend our Nation, but we are not ok with them protecting our own communities across Ohio?” 

Demetriou and Williams gave testimony to the House Homeland Security Committee Wednesday highlighting the law enforcement officer shortages Ohio is currently facing. Under current law, major municipalities have the option to hire police officers below the age of 21. The sponsors of the legislation want to empower local police chiefs across Ohio. 

“This bill is a common sense solution that would allow all Ohio law enforcement agencies to make the same decisions that many municipalities already make under their ‘home rule’ authority,” Williams said. “We trust and respect our local law enforcement departments and expect their leadership to make decisions that are best for all parties involved. This legislation will level the playing field for all law enforcement departments in our state and give local departments the ability to make decisions based on the needs of their own communities.” 

The legislation awaits additional hearings in the Homeland Security Committee.