Senate Passes Roegner Bill to Lower Minimum Age To Become a Police Officer

COLUMBUS—The State Senate passed a bill today sponsored by Senators Kristina Roegner (R-Hudson) and Michele Reynolds (R-Canal Winchester) that changes the minimum age at which a person can become a police officer from 21 to 18 years old. Senate Bill 53 is designed to increase public safety at a time when America is facing a shortage of police officers.
 
"As Ohio experiences its highest rate of violent crime in over a decade, we must explore additional steps to help alleviate the strain on local precincts facing recruiting and staffing shortages," said Roegner. "This bill will help ease our current officer shortage and allow Ohioans who want to enter law enforcement to start their careers sooner." 

"This bill is a common-sense solution that can literally help save lives," said Reynolds. "Lowering the age at which one can become a police officer benefits not only our police forces, but also our communities, cities, and state."

The bill will not require police departments to change their current hiring practices. The change provides freedom to hire officers earlier.  If enacted, Ohio would join at least 14 other states that permit local police departments to hire individuals between ages 18-20, including our neighbors in Pennsylvania, Michigan, and West Virginia. Certain municipalities in Ohio have already elected to appoint 18 year-olds as police officers, under the home rule authority within the Ohio Constitution.