Bishop George Murry speaks at community policing task force session in Columbus

COLUMBUS — A task force assembled by Gov. John Kasich in response to police shootings in Ohio and beyond is nearing completion of its initial meetings, with an eye toward policy changes that will improve relationships between residents and officers.

“Nobody that I have found wants trouble, problems, riots, violence,” Kasich told members of the Ohio Task Force on Community-Police Relations during a meeting today at Ohio State University here. “What we cannot have is a polarization of our communities from police. ... The question is can we develop the kind of training, the kind of curriculum, where people say I feel safe but I’m also fully integrated into the community, which makes me safe as well. ... If officers are accepted into the community, they’re safer.”

Kasich announced the formation of the panel in December, not too long after the shooting death of 12-year-old Tamir Rice by a Cleveland police officer called to a city park following a report that the youngster was waving a gun as passers-by. The firearm turned out to be a toy.

Bishop George Murry of the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown said churches and the faith community can help to improve the relationship between residents and police.

“This is not a time in our communities for the churches to withdraw and turn inward,” he said. “But it’s a time to reach outward and to be more involved in the community, especially with our younger people, to help shape and form them so they can be strong and positive citizens going forward.”

He added, “I think it’s important that our task force challenge the churches to be more involved in this issue, because in our churches on a Sunday or a Saturday there are police officers sitting there along with members of the community.”

For the complete story, read Tuesday's Vindicator and Vindy.com