Ohio House passes bill allowing cadet programs and lateral transfers for police recruitment, regional chief training

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio House on May 20 unanimously passed Substitute House Bill 44, legislation designed to aid police recruitment and retention by clarifying cadet programs, enabling lateral transfers without repeating lengthy civil-service testing, and allowing regional training for newly appointed chiefs. The bill passed on a 95-1 recorded vote.

“Substitute House Bill 44 is a great piece of bipartisan legislation that supports the efforts of our law enforcement community in several key areas, including recruitment, retention, and efficiency,” Representative Kevin Miller said on the House floor.

The measure permits police departments to create cadet programs to expand the candidate pool and prepare applicants, eases lateral transfer rules so experienced officers can move between departments without being subjected to a full competitive examination, and allows new chiefs to complete required chiefs training regionally rather than traveling to a central location.

Supporters noted the bill consolidates and clarifies elements that passed previously in two separate measures in the last General Assembly and said it had broad law enforcement backing, including input from city law directors and the attorney general’s office. “This bill will clarify the issue as well as strengthen those recruitment opportunities and retention in our police departments,” Representative Joe Miller said.

Vote totals recorded by the clerk showed 95 affirmative votes and one negative vote; the title was agreed to without objection and the bill will move to the Senate.