Ohio police advisory group calls for more training hours

COLUMBUS (AP) — An Ohio police relations task force is recommending the state boost the minimum number of required training hours for officers and use stricter screening for applicants.

Attorney General Mike DeWine’s advisory group also recommended at a news conference today that the state reduce the number of training academies to help manage training more effectively.

The committee is also suggesting that all potential police officers have a high-school diploma and undergo drug screening and psychological evaluation.

The task force called for 40 hours of advanced training annually, up from the current requirement of four hours. The committee didn’t announce how many additional basic training hours it recommends.

DeWine convened the task force in response to fatal police shootings and protests over those events in Ohio and nationally.