Ohio House Passes Legislation to Improve Training Requirements for Peace Officers

The Ohio House of Representatives today passed legislation that addresses training requirements for peace officers in Ohio. Stemming from the Attorney General’s Advisory Group on Law Enforcement Training report, the bill works to improve the training process for law enforcement individuals.  

House Bill 204, sponsored by State Representatives Tim Derickson (R-Hanover Township) and Nathan Manning (R-North Ridgeville), addresses the issue in two ways. First it would remove the cap on the number of hours of basic training required for peace officers. Secondly, the bill requires all newly appointed peace officers to receive a high school diploma or a GED. Ohio is one of three states that does not require some level of high school diploma or GED equivalent to serve as a peace officer.

“By lifting the ‘cap’ on training, Ohio's peace officers will receive the best and most integrated training available, while improving relations in the communities they serve,” said Rep. Derickson. 

 Currently, the hourly cap for basic training is 650 hours, which is set by the Ohio Administrative Code. With this legislation, the Attorney General could raise the number of hours required for peace officer training.

“Good training starts with a good foundation and requiring a high school diploma or GED will set that foundation,” Rep. Manning said.

The bill will now head to the Senate for further consideration.