Governor Mike DeWine on Tuesday announced a round of grants to law enforcement agencies across the state to help with recruitment efforts.
The funds will be awarded to organizations in Clark, Franklin, Greene, Hamilton, Logan, Lucas, Mahoning, Medina, Montgomery, Shelby, and Summit counties.
Specifically, $424,871 was spread across 13 recruitment grants, going to a dozen local agencies.
“Law enforcement is a distinguished and honorable profession, but agencies all over the country are facing serious shortages in new recruits, which is dangerous for the current workforce and for the citizens they serve and protect,” said Governor DeWine. “The agencies receiving grants today have all developed plans that will help them recruit more qualified job candidates, particularly women and minorities who oftentimes face barriers to employment in criminal justice careers.”
According to DeWine, the grants are the first round of awards that will be sent out. Additionally, funds will be appropriated that total $1 million over the next two years.
In total, DeWine and the Ohio legislature committed $250 million to law enforcement efforts in December.
“Since taking office in 2019, we’ve made significant investments in new tools and technology for law enforcement, and this is a tremendous opportunity to do even more,” said Governor DeWine at the time. “Our proposal would direct hundreds of millions of dollars into innovative initiatives that will protect our citizens and support our first responders who put their own lives on the line to help others.”
In other states, elected officials have used incentives to recruit officers. For example, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee made a nationwide pitch to law enforcement officers to relocate to Tennessee and join the state’s law enforcement agency, detailing the state would help with the costs associated with moving.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis proposed a move that would award a $5,000 bonus to any out-of-state police that opt to relocate to the state.
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Cooper Moran is a reporter for The Ohio Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Mike DeWine” by Governor Mike DeWine. Background Photo “Police SUV” by Columbus Division of Police.
