From THERESA GAVARONE (R-Bowling Green)
“In a time of ever-increasing crime and violence across our state and country, the need for and value of our law enforcement officers has never been greater,” Gavarone said. “Officers, now more than ever, need our support, and as leaders in our communities, legislators must make our position clear that we stand with law enforcement and against an idea that threatens the safety of all Ohioans.”
State Senator Theresa Gavarone (R-Bowling Green) this week announced the introduction of Concurrent Resolution 16 in the Ohio Senate which opposes efforts to defund law enforcement agencies, while also calling for justice for victims of excessive force.
Defunding law enforcement would leave agencies understaffed and officers undertrained, increasing the risk of violent crime in communities already under stress from the COVID-19 pandemic and recent protests.
The resolution as introduced reads:
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
To call for justice for victims of excessive force by police and declare opposition to efforts to defund law enforcement.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF OHIO (THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING):
WHEREAS, A free society depends on the rule of law, which is the foundation for the preservation of public order, peace, and individual rights; and
WHEREAS, The just and unbiased enforcement of the rule of law and the protection of the people is an essential function of government at the local, state, and federal levels; and
WHEREAS, The law enforcement profession is inherently dangerous, and law enforcement officers risk their own health and safety in the course of their employment; and
WHEREAS, In 2019, eighty-nine federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty; and
WHEREAS, Law enforcement officers are entrusted by the public to uphold the law; and
WHEREAS, Law enforcement officers who abuse their positions, engage in corruption, employ excessive force, or
exhibit bias betray the public trust and undermine the rule of
law; and
WHEREAS, The death or injury of any person due to excessive
force by police is a horrific act that violates the public trust
and is inconsistent with the values and conduct expected of law
enforcement officers; and
WHEREAS, Understaffed law enforcement agencies and
undertrained law enforcement officers increase the risk of
encounters that result in the use of force, including
unjustifiable or excessive force; and
WHEREAS, Defunding law enforcement would leave law
enforcement agencies understaffed and their officers
undertrained, while also increasing the risk of violent crime to
the communities of Ohio, especially vulnerable communities; now
therefore be it
RESOLVED, That we, the members of the 133rd General
Assembly of the State of Ohio, call for justice for victims of
excessive police force and oppose efforts to defund law
enforcement; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Clerk of the Senate transmit duly
authenticated copies of this resolution to the members of the
Ohio Congressional Delegation and to the news media of Ohio.
EDITOR’S NOTE: The press release originally linked to a draft of the concurrent resolution. That appears below.
A C O N C U R R E N T R E S O LU T I O N
To call for justice for victims of excessive force by police and declare opposition to efforts to defund law enforcement.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF OHIO (THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING):
WHEREAS, A free society depends on the rule of law, which is the foundation for the preservation of public order, peace, and individual rights; and
WHEREAS, The United States has a troubled history of racism that includes slavery, the terror of lynch mobs, segregation, and Jim Crow, and that history leaves the United States with 9 important work to accomplish; and
WHEREAS, The just and unbiased enforcement of the rule of law and the protection of innocent individuals against awbreakers is the essential function of government at the local, state, and federal levels; and
WHEREAS, The law enforcement profession is inherently dangerous, and law enforcement officers risk their lives every day; and
WHEREAS, In 2019, eighty-nine federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty;
and
WHEREAS, Law enforcement officers are entrusted by the
public to uphold the law; and
WHEREAS, Law enforcement officers who abuse their
positions, engage in corruption, employ excessive force, or
exhibit bias betray the public trust and undermine the rule of
law; and
WHEREAS, The death or injury of any person due to excessive
force by police is a horrific act that violates the public trust
and is inconsistent with the values and conduct expected of law
enforcement officers; and
WHEREAS, Good law enforcement cannot exist without
accountability and justice; and
WHEREAS, Understaffed law enforcement agencies and
undertrained law enforcement officers increase the risk of
encounters that result in the use of force, including
unjustifiable or excessive force; and
WHEREAS, Defunding law enforcement would leave law
enforcement agencies understaffed and their officers
undertrained, while also increasing the risk of violent crime to
the communities of the United States, especially vulnerable
communities; now therefore be it
RESOLVED, That we, the members of the 133rd General
Assembly of the State of Ohio, call for justice for victims of
excessive police force and oppose efforts to defund law
enforcement; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Clerk of the Senate transmit duly
authenticated copies of this resolution to the members of the
Ohio Congressional Delegation and to the news media of Ohio.
