COLUMBUS, Ohio – Black state lawmakers say improved police training and community relations are important, but the state needs more than that to restore confidence in a justice system that too many African-Americans think is stacked against them.
READ MORE: In the Columbus Dispatch
More transparency in the grand jury process, better data collection regarding police interactions and the appointment of independent prosecutors in officer-related deaths are among the initiatives the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus says are necessary.
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Caucus president Rep. Alicia Reece (D-Cincinnati) said recent steps by Gov. John Kasich and others to improve community relations and police training are major steps forward.
“Now, people are interested at looking at this grand jury. Is the prosecutor independent and going to represent them?” she said. “People are now asking for a more comprehensive approach to our criminal-justice system and restore confidence to people who are slipping away and feeling they don’t have access to equal justice.”
Reece and members are urging Gov. Kasich to release a report on the current status of executive action taken by his administration following recommendations issued by a task force last month.
“I applaud the work of the governor’s Taskforce on Community and Police Relations, but we want to ensure that the report and recommendations do not sit on a shelf. We studied, recommended and now it is time for action, followed by ongoing education and enforcement” said assistant Senate Democratic Leader Charleta Tavares (D-Columbus).
House Speaker Cliff Rosenberger (R-Clarksville) said the focus now is on increasing training for police officers. “There are a lot of issues, but where we’ve got to focus is on the training.”
An executive order created a board to develop and oversee minimum standards and best practices for police departments throughout the state, but caucus members say there needs to be a greater effort to make sure those are implemented and the issue remains on the state’s radar.
“The trust between law enforcement and the people they serve and protect is critical to the safety of our officers and the integrity of our criminal justice system. I look forward to continued conversations with law enforcement, community members and elected officials about how we can get this right in Ohio,” House Democratic Whip Kevin Boyce (D-Columbus) said.
The caucus on Wednesday outlined a host of criminal justice changes it wants to see implemented, including asking the Constitutional Modernization Commission to study a grand jury process that is conducted in secret.