COLUMBUS — In an effort to make good on a promise to treat policing like a profession in the state, Gov. Mike DeWine has introduced a college-to-law enforcement pathway program.
The pilot program under the new state Office of Law Enforcement Recruitment is an effort by the Republican governor to both recruit more law enforcement officers as departures engulf agencies across the state and make sure the candidates who do apply are qualified.
DeWine says the objective of the new program is to connect criminal justice programs from college and universities in Ohio to law enforcement agencies in the state, effectively creating a pipeline for college students to become officers.
“In a time when many law enforcement agencies are struggling to recruit highly-qualified candidates, this program will create a pool of pre-qualified applicants with a strong understanding of criminal justice issues and the know-how to form positive relationships within their communities,” he said.
The honors programs at Cedarville University and Central State University during the upcoming fall semester pairs criminal justice students with law enforcement mentors.
Police agencies in central Ohio participating in the pilot include those in Dublin, Lancaster and Reynoldsburg.