The Russells Point Police Department has officially earned Final Certification from the Ohio Collaborative Community-Police Advisory Board, officials announced.
The certification recognizes the department’s commitment to best practices in key areas, including use of force, recruitment and hiring, bias-free policing, investigation of employee misconduct, and vehicular pursuits.
Chief Joe Freyhof said, “Law enforcement is made up of people, and people aren’t perfect. What matters is our commitment to keep learning, improving, and doing what’s right for the communities we serve. Our recertification through the Ohio Collaborative is more than a recognition — it’s a reminder that our work to build trust, uphold accountability, and serve with integrity is never finished. We’re proud to work alongside a multitude of community partners to meet people where they are and to take meaningful steps toward meeting the needs of those we serve.”
The Ohio Collaborative, a 12-person panel of law enforcement experts and community leaders from across the state, established Ohio’s first state law enforcement standards on August 28, 2015.
The standards are designed to hold agencies accountable and instill greater confidence in the public.
The Collaborative works closely with community partners and law enforcement agencies to implement new standards, provides model policies as a resource, and is supported by the Ohio Criminal Justice Services (OCJS), which assists agencies with implementation.
All law enforcement agencies are expected to meet or exceed these standards as they develop policies and procedures.
For the first time, Ohio’s law enforcement agencies now have a set of minimum standards for the use of deadly force and for recruitment and hiring.
Each standard must consist of four elements:
- Policy/procedure
- Knowledge/Awareness (read and sign)
- Proficiency (roll-call training/quizzes)
- Compliance (agency activity and accountability)
More than 600 law enforcement agencies employing over 29,000 officers—including departments in all 88 counties and most of Ohio’s metropolitan areas—are participating in the certification process.
The department also expressed gratitude for the support of the community, noting that the certification reflects its dedication to serving Russells Point with integrity, professionalism, and transparency every day.
