Ohio communities would appoint trained police chiefs and marshals

Appointing authorities must choose a certified person as chief or village marshal, unless they use the interim appointment option. This applies to chiefs of township police districts, cities, and village marshals appointed after the applicable section takes effect. A township or city may appoint an uncertified interim chief, and an appointing authority may appoint an uncertified interim village marshal. An interim officer may not perform police duties or carry a weapon for those duties before receiving the certificate. The appointing authority may extend the interim term for good cause. An interim appointment lasts no more than six months unless extended for good cause; the interim appointee must enroll in training during that term.

Appointing authorities must fill vacancies and may lose certain funding eligibility if they fail to meet the requirements. This applies to the covered township and joint district boards, city public safety directors, and village appointing authorities. A township or joint police district, city police department, or village appointing authority that violates these requirements is ineligible for specified continuing-training reimbursements and law enforcement grants. The 180-day period begins when the position becomes vacant.