Support Mandatory Substance & Alcohol Screening for Use-of-Force Incidents

Supporting mandatory substance and alcohol testing for all peace officers in Ohio involved in use-of-force incidents is critical for promoting accountability and restoring public trust in law enforcement. Recent incidents in Ohio have shown that some officers involved in substance abuse or alcohol-related offenses continue to serve, raising concerns about public safety and oversight. By sending an email in support of this legislation, you’re helping ensure that officers are held to the same standards of accountability as other public servants. This legislation will promote transparency, protect communities, and help ensure that officers are performing their duties with the highest level of professionalism. Your voice matters—please take action and urge your state representative and senator to support this important bill.


Preview Below:

"I am writing to urge you to support legislation mandating mandatory substance use and alcohol screenings for all law enforcement and corrections officers involved in use-of-force incidents. This legislation is a crucial piece in the puzzle of building accountable public safety systems and public trust, particularly in light of recent incidents involving law enforcement officers and impaired driving.

Across Ohio, multiple law enforcement officers have been involved in alcohol or substance related incidents covered by the media, highlighting the clear need for transparent and accountable standards:

  • Officer Joseph Robinson of the Springfield Police Department is facing his third OVI (Operating a Vehicle Impaired) charge in a five-year period. This alarming pattern raises questions about oversight and the ability of law enforcement agencies to properly address officers engaging in unsafe or unlawful behavior.
    Source: Springfield News-Sun

  • Officer Priscilla Ide, a Columbus police officer, was arrested for OVI after failing both a field sobriety test and a breathalyzer test. Despite this arrest, she was employed at the time, underscoring the need for more effective policies around officer accountability.
    Source: NBC4i News

  • Officer Trier Knieper was arrested for OVI and additional charges, including street racing and speeding while impaired. This incident reflects a dangerous disregard for public safety.
    Source: NBC4i News

  • Officer Robbie Whitlow, arrested on March 13 by the Ohio State Highway Patrol for OVI.
    Source: NBC4i News

  • Sgt. Melvin Romans, arrested on March 12 by the Ohio State Highway Patrol for OVI.
    Source: NBC4i News

  • Officer Tylor Nixon, arrested on March 10 by Gahanna police for OVI.
    Source: NBC4i News

  • Officer Trier Knieper again, arrested on January 3 for OVI and additional charges, including street racing.
    Source: NBC4i News

  • In addition, an Ohio sheriff’s patrol commander recently declared on Facebook that he would refuse assistance to Democrats and demanded proof of voters' political affiliation before providing aid, later attributing his actions to sleep aids.
    Source: AP News

Officers who engage in substance abuse or other harmful behavior while on duty must be held to the same standards of accountability Ohio imposes for bus drivers, waste truck drivers, and other public servants. The proposed bill would require officers involved in any use-of-force incident to submit to a chemical test for alcohol, drugs, or metabolites of controlled substances within three hours of the incident. Positive results could result in legal and disciplinary action, including referrals to the prosecutor and mandatory corrective or disciplinary measures from their employer.

The bill also ensures that officers who refuse to submit to a chemical test will face disciplinary actions, reinforcing the importance of transparency and accountability in law enforcement.

By supporting this legislation, you champion transparency and accountability, and will help rebuild public trust in law enforcement by demonstrating we are all treated equally under Ohio law.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I respectfully ask that you support this bill and take action to protect the safety of our communities."