Ohio Republicans introduce police reform bill

CINCINNATI (WKRC) - A pair of former police officers turned lawmakers are introducing a new plan to bring law enforcement reform across Ohio. The bill's sponsors say they want to raise police standards while weeding out bad actors.

State Rep. Cindy Abrams was a Cincinnati Police officer during the 2001 civil unrest. The Republican is proud of how far CPD has come since then.

“[They] worked so hard with the Collaborative Agreement and community policing and better relationships in the neighborhoods, and, again, we're a great example in Cincinnati of what we can be done,” said Abrams.

That’s why Abrams is co-sponsoring a 15-point plan to improve law enforcement training, expand officer diversity and implement more disciplinary procedures. Much of the plan is based on what Cincinnati is already doing. Abrams says to think of it as ensuring professional police practices.

“The vast majority of our law enforcement, they are professionals and our proposal is let's treat them like the professionals they are,” said Abrams.

If passed, the bill would create a standardized disciplinary process, terminate an officer if convicted of a violent crime and create a statewide discipline database.

The head of the Cincinnati Fraternal Order of Police is not a fan of the legislation.

“I'd rather conservatives stand up right now and say we legislators don't need to do any bills,” said Dan Hils. “We need to allow police departments to do their work, govern their people. Let the local authorities decided what management style they would like."

“We want to be clear. This is not about defunding the police,” said Abrams. “We're talking about Ohio and we are proud of the vast majority of police who are good, so we're going to stand with them and help improve public safety."

“I would like legislators work more on reducing budgets and other things and fixing the roads then telling police departments how to do their business,” said Hils.

The bill's co-sponsor is Rep. Phil Plummer who was the Montgomery County sheriff for 10 years.

Abrams and Plummer say they will now go on a listening tour to get feedback from police unions and organizations like the NAACP.