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Senator presses for emotional‑intelligence training for peace officers
Summary
Senate Bill 169 would require emotional intelligence training for Ohio peace officers as part of certification, with sponsors citing officer mental‑health data and law enforcement stakeholders; committee members asked about prior consultations and implementation details.
Senate Bill 169 drew sponsor testimony that framed the measure as an effort to prevent officer burnout, improve de‑escalation and reduce tragedies linked to unresolved trauma among first responders.
"Emotional intelligence, the ability to recognize, understand and manage one's own emotions as well as those of others, is essential in high stress professions like law enforcement," sponsor Senator Ingram told the committee, arguing the training would strengthen public safety outcomes while supporting officers' mental health.
The sponsor said the bill arose from conversations with law enforcement stakeholders, including the Fraternal Order of Police, and emphasized the measure is intended to be more than an added hour of training. The testimony cited a 2021 study and National Alliance on Mental Illness data about suicide and mental‑health risks among officers to justify embedding emotional wellness into certification standards.
A committee member asked what organizations had been consulted and whether the bill had been modified since prior sessions; Senator Ingram said the bill had been brought in prior legislatures and discussed with the FOP and others. Senators expressed appreciation for the focus on officer wellness but sought details on curricular standards, certification changes and stakeholder buy‑in.
The bill received proponent testimony and questions; there was no committee vote during this session. The committee concluded the first hearing and thanked the sponsor.
