COLUMBUS – Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced on Tuesday that the Summit County Sheriff’s Office will be receiving $61,069 in grant money from the Ohio Office of Law Enforcement Recruitment. The funds will be used to offer 20 new training academy scholarships, and to increase outreach and recruitment efforts geared towards women and minorities. The sum awarded to the Summit County Sheriff’s Office is the second largest of the twelve recipient agencies in the state.
“This news is a net positive for the entire Summit County community,” said Sheriff Fatheree. “This funding will help us better serve and protect our residents, and will strengthen the Sheriff’s Office both in terms of numbers, and in the strength that comes with greater diversity.”
The Ohio Law Enforcement Recruitment Grant Program was created last year by the Ohio General Assembly with the goal of boosting the recruitment and retention of women and minority officers. “Agencies all over the country are facing serious shortages in new recruits, which is dangerous for the current workforce and for the citizens they serve and protect,” said Governor DeWine in his announcement. “The agencies receiving grants today have all developed plans that will help them recruit more qualified job candidates, particularly women and minorities who often times face barriers to employment in criminal justice careers.”
The Sheriff’s Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Esther Thomas, will direct the grant activities along with the Sheriff’s Office diversity team comprised of department heads, deputies and civilian staff, and the chaplain. “The approved plan is to create a comprehensive marketing strategy to reach women and minorities,” said Ms. Thomas. “Other initiatives include a mentoring program for academy attendees and opportunities for job exposure.”
The Sheriff’s Office will use traditional avenues for recruitment, as well as online and social media targeted efforts, print, billboard and digital advertising, increased outreach to community groups, and attendance at job fairs and Sheriff’s Office- sponsored events.
