COLUMBUS, Ohio — A proposed bill would reduce the age requirement to join the police force across Ohio.

Senate Bill 53 will continue to move through committee hearings, and sponsors of this legislation told lawmakers it could counteract the workforce shortage in police departments across the state. 

Republican State Senators Kristina Roegner and Michelle Reynolds are sponsoring this legislation to lower the age for becoming a police officer in Ohio from 21- to 18-years-old. 

What You Need To Know

  • Republican State Senators Kristina Roegner and Michelle Reynolds are sponsoring this bill

  • Roegner in her first testimony before lawmakers stated that many other states already have a plan like this in place

  • Right now in Ohio, certain municipalities in the state already have the authority to hire 18-year-olds under certain home rule provisions in the Ohio Constitution

 

"This bill is a common-sense solution to help decrease our workforce shortage of police officers," said Reynolds, R-Canal Winchester. "Currently in the Ohio Revised Code, you are permitted to be a firefighter at 18-years-old. Furthermore, 18-year-old males are required to register with the selective service and may be drafted to fight for our country during wartime."  

Roegner in her first testimony before lawmakers stated that many other states already have a plan like this in place. And right now in Ohio, certain municipalities in the state already have the authority to hire 18-year-olds under certain home rule provisions in the Ohio Constitution. 

"Right now, if you're a home rule city or if you're a village or if you are a sheriff's office, a township police department, and you are not covered by civil service, you can already hire people under 21-years-old to be a police officer if you choose to do so," said Chief Charles Chandler, president of the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police.

Chandler said Senate Bill 53 could positively affect Ohio. However, there might be jurisdictions that choose not to hire people under the age of 21-years-old.  

"When they turn 18, there's kind of a gap there, you know, with agencies where they would have the opportunity to start or get involved with the police department, that you may lose interest between the ages of 18 or 21, between college or going into the military or finding another career field," Chandler said. 

Chandler said he does not have any concerns about this legislation if it were to pass as an actual bill. 

"It will not be used by all, but we need to look at anything we can look at to get young people interested in law enforcement because, you know, we need to build up our workforce for the future," said Chandler. 

On Wednesday, supporters of the bill are expected to testify before the Senate Government Oversight Committee. Eventually, anyone who opposes the bill will be given the chance to share their concerns before the committee.