Rep. Reece pushes for more transparency in officer-involved fatality investigations

State Rep. and President of the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus Alicia Reece (D-Cincinnati) and State Rep. Jonathan Dever (R-Cincinnati) recently held a news conference to discuss House Bill 380, newly introduced legislation to create a more transparent investigative process with deaths that result from a law enforcement officer’s use of a firearm.

“Perceptions of injustice following a police-involved shooting death – whether substantiated or not – can further erode a community’s trust in the criminal justice system,” Reece said. “This bill will begin the process of rebuilding that trust between members of the community and the law enforcement officers who are sworn to protect them.”

House Bill 380 will require outside investigators chosen from a database that is to be managed by the Attorney General’s office to participate investigations for police-involved shooting death cases. It also will require information on the investigation be provided to the victim’s family members.

The bill has garnered widespread bipartisan support in the House of Representatives and awaits a first hearing.