Ohio House Passes Legislation Regarding Police Department Vacancies

COLUMBUS – The Ohio House of Representatives passed House Bill 241, which will give police departments the ability to fill vacant positions without a competitive examination, announced bill sponsor, State Representative Kevin Miller (R-Newark). 

The legislation will allow police departments the power to fill vacant positions in civil service without an exam if the department can present evidence that the competitive component of exams is considered unnecessary and the applicant has exceptional qualifications. 

“Under the current civil service process, when a department seeks to hire an officer, time is needed to post the position, schedule a test, and wait for results,” said Miller. “In Ohio, police departments in statutory cities must go through this process, but a charter city can immediately hire a qualified officer and avoid the civil service process.”

“Filling positions with veteran officers avoids excess time and money being wasted,” Miller continued. “The goal of this legislation is to help the police force work more effectively for community members and get well-trained officers out into the field.”

The legislation now moves to the Ohio Senate for consideration.