'Defunding Police' Absurd, Ohio Governor Says, Announces Reforms

COLUMBUS, OH — Defunding law enforcement agencies is "absurd," Gov. Mike DeWine said Tuesday after announcing a series of reforms to policing in Ohio. The governor did vow to improve law enforcement transparency and to explore creating a database for officers who are fired for misconduct.

Ohio is creating a new Office of Law Enforcement Recruitment to attract more women and minorities into roles as police officers and sheriffs, DeWine announced. He said he is working on other law enforcement reforms with the Ohio General Assembly.

"This is just my first round of announcements related to meaningful law enforcement reform. Many necessary changes will require legislative action, and we are working on other ideas with the law enforcement community, elected officials, and community organizations," DeWine said.

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The governor's announcement came after another week of protests against police brutality erupted around the state and the nation. DeWine said he intends to make further announcements about police reform in coming days.

Ohio is also developing minimum standards and techniques for police dealing with protests, DeWine announced Tuesday. The guidelines will outline which tactics are "excessive in a given situation."

The governor said he wants peaceful protesters to feel protected, but for personal and private property to be protected.

"If law enforcement witness violence or property destruction, they must be empowered to act," DeWine said.

The governor is also instructing state officials to contact all police departments, sheriffs offices and other law enforcement agencies that have not completed Ohio's use of force certification standards.

"Regardless of why some agencies have not become certified, I’m encouraging the 400 plus agencies that are not certified to begin working on this process today. I’ve directed Ohio Criminal Justice Services to reach out to these agencies to assist them in any way they can," DeWine said.