Gov. Kasich names Bishop Murry to Ohio Task Force

Staff report

Gov. John R. Kasich appointed 18 members to the Ohio Task Force on Community-Police Relations, including Bishop George V. Murry of the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown.

The governor announced the task force in December after a series of incidents in Ohio and around the nation highlighted the challenging situations that exist in many places between communities and police.

“I am honored to accept the governor’s invitation to serve on the Ohio Task Force on Community-Police Relations,” the bishop said. “In light of events which have occurred during the past few months, events which have demonized police departments and various communities, it is my hope that this task force will help communities and police departments better understand each other and work together for the common good.”

The task force will have its initial forum Tuesday at Cleveland State University. Kasich has asked the task force to issue a report by April 30, providing ideas for how communities across the state can build constructive relationships between communities and police that are built on mutual understanding and respect.

The task force will conduct at least four public forums throughout the state to gather input from Ohioans. The task force will explore best community policing practices, law-enforcement training, standards for law enforcement interaction with the community, the criminal justice system and community oversight and involvement in law enforcement.

The panel also will include former Gov. and U.S. Sen. George Voinovich, former Cleveland-area Congressman Louis Stokes, former Ohio Supreme Court Justice Eve Stratton and Ohio Department of Public Safety Director John Born.