Calls to “defund the police” are misguided and fly in the face of research.  Study after study shows that 1) more officers, particularly focused in highly criminalized neighborhoods decreases crime; and 2) better trained and educated officers are much less likely to use force and utilize more effective policing practices.  By “defunding” or making significant cuts to police budgets, law enforcement agencies will be limited in hiring more officers or keep current staffing levels, will likely have to reduce or eliminate certain training or continuing education programs, and will not be able to attract better candidates or maintain these officers due to lack of financial incentives.  We need more investments in the areas that have been proven to better the quality of officers.  This will make our streets safer and our bonds between law enforcement and their communities stronger.

Additionally, polling has shown the regardless of age or race, US adults overwhelmingly want to see funding for police increase or stay about the same.  In 2021, just 15% of US adults said that spending on police should be decreased.

We need to fund law enforcement like the core function of government they are.  However, instead of clear and transparent appropriations, many police budgets across the country rely significantly on fines, fees, and forfeitures which are collected and enforced by law enforcement.  This warps the core functions of police and can cause significant tensions between them and the communities they serve.  We must fund law enforcement through means that do not distort their objectives because every minute they spend on revenue-generating activities is a minute they are not spending on solving or preventing serious crime.

Ohio can lead the way in how our government supports law enforcement.