Governor DeWine Announces 14 Newly Accredited Ohio Law Enforcement Agencies
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(COLUMBUS, Ohio) – Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced the latest Ohio law enforcement agencies to achieve accreditation through the new Ohio Collaborative Law Enforcement Accreditation Program.
Governor DeWine created the program in 2024 to recognize law enforcement agencies that voluntarily meet or exceed nearly three dozen state standards of professional excellence that address core responsibilities such as professional conduct, bias-free policing, crisis intervention, and community engagement.
The newest agencies to achieve accreditation include: Beachwood Police Department, Beaver Township Police Department, Boardman Township Police Department, Bridgeport Police Department, Cleveland State University Police Department, Delaware County Sheriff’s Office, Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office, Gallia County Sheriff’s Office, Hamilton Township Police Department, Independence Police Department, Medina Police Department, Miami County Parks Police Department, Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office, and Summit County Sheriff’s Office.
“Attaining accreditation through this program is a prestigious achievement,” said Governor DeWine. “Those living in communities served by an accredited department can be confident that their local law enforcement agency demonstrates exceptional professionalism and meets Ohio’s high expectations for excellence in public safety services.”
The Ohio Collaborative Law Enforcement Accreditation Program is the only state-administered accreditation program in the nation that does not charge law enforcement agencies to participate. The program is voluntary and open to all law enforcement agencies in the state.
A total of 24 law enforcement agencies have fully met Ohio’s standards of professional excellence, and several other agencies are working toward accreditation.
“The recent accreditations through the Ohio Collaborative Law Enforcement Accreditation Program reflect a strong commitment to professionalism, bias-free policing, crisis intervention, and community engagement,” said Nicole Dehner, Executive Director of OCJS. “Now with 24 accredited agencies, we’re advancing our mission to strengthen community relationships and support best practices statewide.”
Law enforcement agencies interested in accreditation can find more information on the Ohio Collaborative Law Enforcement Accreditation Program’s website. Collaborative staff work with agencies seeking accreditation to ensure their local policies and practices meet state standards.
The accreditation program expands on a separate program – the Ohio Collaborative Law Enforcement Certification Program – which has certified more than 600 law enforcement agencies on specific best practices regarding use of force and law enforcement recruitment, hiring, and screening. All certification standards are considered mandatory for accreditation.
The Ohio Collaborative Community-Police Advisory Board was created in 2015 to strengthen law enforcement’s relationship with the public. It works in coordination with the Ohio Department of Public Safety’s Office of Criminal Justice Services and consults with the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police and the Buckeye State Sheriffs’ Association.
