COVER STORY

New fronts established in battle against opiates

By R. Steven Graves
As statewide efforts to battle the prescription drug abuse epidemic begin to show results, the Ohio Attorney Generals This black tar heroin was confiscated recently in Ohio. Office and its partners are seeing a rise in the prevalence of heroin, prompting a broader focus to fight opiates in general. Assistant Attorney General Aaron Haslam, who is leading the offices work to stem the opiate problem, said increased heroin trafficking followed on the heels of a crackdown on prescription drug abuse. Like heroin, painkillers such as oxycodone and hydrocodone are opiates. Haslam said a new state law strengthening the licensing of pain management clinics already is having an effect. The law, which took effect May 20, also enhances the computerized Ohio Automated Rx Review System to help identify extensive prescription drug use. The regulations have helped cut off a lot of the supply. The number of pain clinics has dropped significantly. Scioto County, which had 12 pain clinics, now has just one, Haslam said. But as the supply of prescription drugs has gone down, weve seen a boom in heroin. A lot of the heroin that were seeing is coming out of Mexico and South America, and the cartels bringing it in are very organized, he added. Unlike how prescription drugs are illegally distributed, what we see with heroin is that its coming in to hub cities such as Columbus and Cincinnati, and addicts are traveling to get it. Haslam said the Attorney Generals Office is working closely with the Governors Office,
Continued on Page 5

Photos by Lisa Murray Ohio law enforcement officers take part in an Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy course on how to deal with active shooters.

Online or on the road, OPOTA serves local law enforcement

The Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy (OPOTA) is reaching out to serve local law enforcement by making trainings even more convenient for time-strapped and budget-conscious agencies across Ohio. Our job is to assist local law enforcement. Whatever the needs of law enforcement are for training, we do our best to meet them, while at the same time making them convenient and affordable, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine said. Many of OPOTAs courses are free, and online courses offer the convenience of being available 24/7 on the Internet, where any officer working any shift can have access. A goal set by DeWine is to increase the trainings available and to schedule them within an hours drive of most law enforcement agencies at large venues close to major interstates and with free parking. Were in the business of providing law enforcement with the best instruction possible at the lowest possible cost. It doesnt get any lower than free, said Bob Fiatal, who serves as executive director of the academy and the Ohio
Continued on Page 7

Share your suggestions with OPOTA

The Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy wants to help you address your law enforcement training needs. To let us know how OPOTA can better serve your agency, contact Executive Director Bob Fiatal at Robert.Fiatal@OhioAttorney General.gov or call him at 740-845-2757.

OPOTA offers basic peace officer training course in early 2012

OPOTA will conduct a Peace Officer Basic Training School Jan. 17May 4 at the academys main campus in London. Applicants must obtain a peace officer appointment and be employed by a law enforcement agency prior to the start of the course. For information, contact James Doug Daniels at 740-845-6304 or James.Daniels@OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov. Registration forms are at www.OhioAttorney General.gov/OPOTARegistration.
More inside: Attorney General shares thoughts on OPOTAs commitment to law enforcement, Page 2.

My job as Ohios Attorney General is to support and assist local law enforcement professionals in their efforts to protect Ohios families. An important part of meeting that responsibility is making sure peace officers around the state are well-trained for the work we ask them to do. I said at my swearing-in ceremony that the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy (OPOTA) would be a premier teaching institution for Ohio law enforcement personnel. I have every intention of following through on that pledge, and I need your feedback and suggestions to make it happen. Im proud of the dedicated, experienced staff and adjunct instructors at OPOTA. They are working hard to expand and improve advanced law enforcement training opportunities both in terms of content and delivery. Courses focus on topics and techniques peace officers need to be proficient in today, such as prescription drug abuse, intelligence-led policing, computer forensics, and a multitude of other subjects.

We have made these courses available not only at OPOTAs London and Richfield campuses, but at venues across the state and online. Regional and eOPOTA trainings have become increasingly popular as law enforcement throughout Ohio continue to face tight budgets and personnel shortages, and we will continue to focus on these offerings. Im also grateful to Bob Fiatal and the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission (OPOTC) for taking on the task of comprehensively reviewing and revising the states basic peace officer training curriculum for the first time since the mid-1960s. The environment in which peace officers perform their duties today is substantially different than it was in 1966 when Ohio first implemented a standard training approach for law enforcement. Were working to ensure that the substance of the training parallels the progress in law enforcement practices because it directly affects the safety of our families and the lives of our officers. The way we are working to revise the peace officer basic training curriculum is significant.

We surveyed several thousand law enforcement leaders, officers, and basic training graduates regarding what skills and practices should be included in the instruction. We are listening to the people we serve, and the final product will reflect much of their input. I invite your continued feedback on the offerings and work of the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy. Please let us know how we can serve you better whether it be through the types of courses we offer and where we offer them or through our other work on curricula, certification, or other issues. To share your input, contact Bob Fiatal at Robert.Fiatal@OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov or 740-845-2757. Very respectfully yours,

Mike DeWine Ohio Attorney General

By Alexandra Schimmer
In J.D.B. v. North Carolina, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in June that a childs age is relevant to the Miranda custody analysis. Police removed 13-year-old J.D.B. from his classroom and questioned him about items stolen in two home invasions. Without administering Miranda warnings, and with the door closed, the investigator questioned him for 30 to 45 minutes. Initially, J.D.B. denied any wrongdoing, but eventually asked if he would still be in trouble if he returned the stuff. The investigator explained that this would help, but that the matter was going to court regardless. The investigator then explained the process of juvenile detention. At that point, J.D.B. admitted that he and a friend had committed the breakins. Only then did the investigator tell J.D.B. that he could refuse to answer questions and was free to leave. J.D.B. said he understood and repeated his confession in writing. J.D.B. later was charged in juvenile proceedings, during which he moved to suppress his statements. He argued he had been interrogated in a
2 CRIMInAL JUSTICE UPDATE

custodial setting without Miranda warnings and that the statements were involuntary. The state courts refused to suppress the statements and declined to find J.D.B.s age relevant in assessing whether he was in police custody for Miranda purposes. The U.S. Supreme Court disagreed, concluding that a childs age would affect how a reasonable person in the suspects position would perceive his or her freedom to leave. A reasonable child subjected to police questioning will sometimes feel pressured to submit when a reasonable adult would feel free to go, the Supreme Court said. We think it clear that courts can account for that reality without doing any damage to the objective nature of the custody analysis. The justices reversed the lower courts ruling and remanded the case, directing the state courts to reassess whether J.D.B. was in custody, now taking his age into account. Alexandra Schimmer is Ohios solicitor general and heads the Attorney Generals Appeals Section.

Attorney General Mike deWine and former Attorneys General Betty Montgomery and Nancy Rogers attended BCIs 90th anniversary celebration in September.

CRIMInAL JUSTICE

UPdATe

Criminal Justice Update typically is published four times a year by the Ohio Attorney Generals Office for members of Ohios criminal justice community. To share story ideas or alert us to address changes, contact Editor Mary Alice Casey at 614-728-5417 or Mary.Alice.Casey@OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov. Volume 3, Issue 3 Fall 2011 Copyright 2011 by Ohio Attorney Generals Office 30 E. Broad St., 17th Floor Columbus, OH 43215 www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov/ CriminalJusticeUpdate
COST BOX InFO HERE PLEASE (LOWERCASE THOUGH)

Law changes assist crime victims

Two recent changes in state law represent positive developments for Ohio crime victims. The Ohio Attorney Generals Office worked with legislators to remove a requirement that adult victims apply within two years of a crime to be eligible for compensation from the Crime Victims Reparations Fund. The change took effect Sept. 30. Crime Victim Section Chief Alice Robinson-Bond said the deadline was arbitrary and resulted in many victims being denied compensation for no good reason. We found we had to deny victims compensation for legitimate expenses simply because they applied after the deadline, sometimes only a few weeks or months after it had passed, Robinson-Bond said. Plus, with DnA analysis helping to solve crimes long after the fact, victims often have to take off work or seek counseling outside that two-year window. This ensures that they can be reimbursed for those costs. Under the same bill, legislators removed a cap on the amount of money a law firm can be reimbursed for helping victims seek civil protection orders. The cap, put in place in 2009, had the unintended effect of limiting services to victims. This was particularly true in small and rural counties, where fewer attorneys handle civil protection orders. The Attorney Generals Picking up the Pieces booklet, which law enforcement and prosecutors are required to provide to crime victims to advise them of their rights, is being revised to reflect the changes. To receive copies when they are available, contact Kelli Grace of the Crime Victim Section at Kelli.Grace@OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov or 614-995-4231. For more information: Links to the compensation form and other services for victims can be found at www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov/Victim.

Sound advice vital for youth

By Kathleen Nichols
With a new school year under way, criminal justice professionals are sure to receive calls from parents and school officials seeking assistance with technology misuse incidents such as cyberbullying and sexting. In responding, it is important to offer substantive advice and assistance, even though many such cases never escalate to a criminal level. Here are some tips to pass along: Cyberbullying Encourage youths to report any incident of harassment, intimidation, or bullying made face to face or online to a trusted adult. Urge parents to monitor their childs online activities by checking computer histories and setting parental controls. Implement a bullying prevention program. For ideas, visit www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov. Sexting Conduct an educational presentation at a local school or library on the legal and non-legal consequences of sexting. Consider developing a local sexting diversion program. One resource is the Montgomery County Prosecutors Office. Call 937-225-5757 to inquire about its program. Encourage parents to monitor their childrens cell phone use by periodically checking what they have sent from or downloaded to their phones. Cyberethics Encourage the establishment of policies to guide social media use. Urge attendance at professional development presentations that focus on using discretion in online posts and the dos and donts of social media use. The Attorney Generals Office provides resources and presentations on bullying, online safety, and related topics. For more information, contact Kathy nichols at Kathleen.Nichols@OhioAttorney General.gov or 614-995-5416. Kathleen Nichols is a youth violence program coordinator for the Attorney Generals Office.
FALL 2011 3

BCI enhances services with Athens office, unit addition

The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) has announced two steps to enhance services. BCI now has an office in Athens that provides polygraph services and evidence intake. The office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. General questions may be directed to Amanda Dillon at 740-249-4378. For polygraph services, call Matt Speckman at 740-249-4383. The bureau also has assumed oversight for the Attorney Generals Missing Persons Unit. The move will enable the unit to respond more quickly to inquiries regarding missing children and adults and access additional investigative tools, such as databases dedicated exclusively to law enforcement, said Brent Currence, who oversees the unit. The Attorney Generals Office prints information about specific missing persons cases on about 200,000 envelopes sent out every month by various sections of the office. The envelopes occasionally highlight older, unresolved missing children and adult cases in the hope that new information will surface, Currence said. For information, visit www.OhioAttorneyGeneral. gov/MissingPersons.

Office emphasizes prosecution of human traffickers

When the newly convened Human Trafficking Commission met for the first time late this summer, Attorney General Mike DeWine made clear that his goal is to work with law enforcement to criminally prosecute human traffickers. To achieve that, the Human Trafficking Commission was formed to build on the work started by the Trafficking in Persons Study Commission in 2009. That group examined human trafficking in Ohio and developed recommendations that led to Ohios stand-alone human trafficking law. The Human Trafficking Commission will use that information and take on the issue from a law enforcement perspective, raising public awareness and working to put traffickers behind bars, DeWine said. For assistance on human trafficking investigations, contact the Bureau of Criminal Investigation at 855-BCI-OHIO (224-6446). To inquire about assistance with prosecuting cases, contact Associate Assistant Attorney General Emily Pelphrey at Emily.Pelphrey@OhioAttorney General. gov or 614-644-0729. Information also is available at www.OhioAttorneyGeneral. gov/HumanTrafficking.

We can provide another voice in the case to help clarify the issues and to help the court see the overarching themes of a case and understand the basic principles underlying an area of law, said Schimmer, who has been with the office since February 2009 and was named solicitor general in March. One very important principle in criminal law is consistency; thats part of what makes the law fair and just, she added. Because our office has a perch to see how issues play out across the state, we can be a voice of consistency. The Attorney Generals Office argues dozens of cases each year before high courts the Ohio and U.S. Supreme Courts and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit and its attorneys can provide valuable support for county prosecutors offices. Because an appeal at this level means more than preserving or reversing a single judgment, the court will want to know how the principle of law will play out in a broader way, Schimmer said. We try to help present that bigger picture. The offices moot courts bring together attorneys from Appeals and other sections who read prosecutors briefs in advance, listen to their arguments, and pepper them with questions just as justices might. The experience of vocalizing your arguments is very different from writing them down or rehearsing them in your head, Schimmer said. Its very good to stand up and practice that. Moot courts are incredibly useful for helping an attorney answer questions with precision and conditioning his or her brain to the speed of questions that come from a panel of seven justices. For Jarrett, the opportunity was invaluable. I had access to eight people who read the briefs, understood the issues, and asked difficult questions about the case, she said. Its really tremendous that theyre willing to set aside time to do that. For assistance: To request the Appeals Sections assistance with an Ohio Supreme Court case in the form of a moot court, contact Kim Blankenship of the Appeals Section at Kimberly. Blankenship@OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov or 614-728-7510.

File photo Lucas County Assistant Prosecutor evy Jarrett runs through her arguments in State v. Barker during a moot court at the Attorney Generals Office earlier this year.

Appeals Section, prosecutors team up

Collaboration can bolster cases before Ohio Supreme Court
By Mary Alice Casey
The Ohio Attorney Generals Office stands ready to assist county prosecutors offices in their cases before the Ohio Supreme Court. Lucas County Assistant Prosecutor Evy Jarrett knows the value of that offer. Jarrett has argued several cases before the Ohio Supreme Court, including State v. Barker in June. While confident in the strength of her case and armed with past experience, she appreciated the extra measure of support she received from the Attorney Generals Appeals Section. The case was one of about 35 the section supported via amicus briefs in 2010 and early 2011. The Appeals Section also gives prosecutors the opportunity to practice in a moot court setting prior to their Supreme Court appearances. While this most often occurs when the Attorney Generals Office is sharing argument time in a case, Solicitor General Alexandra Schimmer said it also is an option for others. In Barker, the prosecution asked the Supreme Court to overturn a lower court ruling that the trial judges plea colloquy advising Christopher Barker that he had the right to call witnesses to testify on (his) behalf did not make it clear he could subpoena witnesses. In a unanimous opinion issued in August, the justices agreed with the state. Barker was indicted in 2009 on five counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor for allegedly having sex with his 13-year-old half-sister. The prosecution said Barker admitted to giving the girl drugs and alcohol when he had sex with her three to four times a month over a threeyear period. He entered no contest pleas to three counts, but later appealed, saying he did not realize he could compel witnesses to testify. Jarretts brief noted that most people would interpret the phrase right to call witnesses as the ability to subpoena those witnesses. The Attorney Generals amicus brief complemented that stance, pointing out that the 6th Amendments Compulsory Process Clause often is referred to as the right to call witnesses. Assistant Attorney General Erick Gale and the Solicitor Generals section prepared the offices amicus brief and shared time with Jarrett before the Supreme Court. Erick provided research that wasnt present in my brief, Jarrett said. He gave a constitutional, historical perspective that was excellent as well as an overview of constitutional law in general that wasnt readily available to me. The Appeals Section monitors cases the Ohio Supreme Court agrees to hear and files amicus briefs when cases have the potential for broad or lasting impact.

The Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) marked its 90th anniversary in September. Here is a look at some of its milestones.

Sept. 6, 1921 The Bureau of Criminal Identification begins operating within the Department of Public Welfare to provide identification services to law enforcement throughout the state. 1949 BCI conducts its first polygraph exam. In the years since, examiners have administered 63,233 tests.

1959 BCI becomes the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation to reflect its new Investigations Division. 1963 The Ohio Attorney Generals Office assumes oversight of BCI. 1972 BCI begins computerizing criminal histories.

Early 1980s BCI launches its marijuana eradication efforts.

4 CRIMInAL JUSTICE UPDATE

Q&A

New fronts established

Continued from Page 1

Meet Aaron Haslam

Senior Assistant Attorney General Aaron Haslam, who is leading the Attorney Generals prescription drug abuse initiative, shares his thoughts on the assignment and opiate abuse trends. You were chosen for this role, in part, Aaron Haslam heads up Attorney General Mike deWines opiate because of your experience dealing with the abuse initiative. issue as Adams County prosecutor. What did you take from that? Most people were unaware of the prescription drug problem in Adams County. We brought together law enforcement, judges, and other stakeholders across the community to raise awareness, provide education, and deal with the problem on many different levels. How successful were you in Adams County? Talking with Adams County law enforcement, I understand it is no longer easy to buy pills on the street. Two years ago, you could buy them anywhere. The community is very aware of whats going on now, and our overdose death rate is down. All of those things point to a good start, but its important that we continue to work together and communicate to have long-term success. Do you think that sort of success is possible across the state? I think we can replicate some of those successes statewide, but we have to let local communities put their own touch on it. The Attorney Generals Office can be a facilitator and share whats worked elsewhere, but communities need to develop an approach that works locally. How does what you saw as a county prosecutor motivate you to see Ohio tackle this problem? I was seeing one person after another coming through the court system, or worse, overdosing and dying. It produced heartbreaking wreckage parents who had lost their children, children who had lost their parents, families devastated emotionally and financially. If thats going on in Adams and 87 other counties, you cant help but be motivated to do as much as you can. How is the Attorney Generals Office addressing the issue? BCI is able to assist with investigations, and OPOTA is offering training around the state and online through eOPOTA. And my unit, the Criminal Justice Sections Special Prosecutions Unit, is involved in prosecuting cases at all levels. Were also collaborating with the Governors Office, the legislature, and all the other entities that have a stake in seeing Ohio tackle this problem. Are you trying approaches that havent been explored before? Yes. For instance, were using a new model for investigating pill mills, rogue doctors, and drug rings. It was developed by Fred Moore at BCI, and it involves gathering all the players local law enforcement, prosecutors, BCI agents, the U.S. Attorneys Office, the state pharmacy and medical boards and working the law enforcement and regulatory aspects of cases simultaneously. Talk about the connection between prescription pills and heroin. Heroin is an easy crossover drug, and it can satisfy the craving of a prescription drug addict. People think of heroin as an inner-city problem. They dont think about their neighbor who had surgery, was prescribed pain medication, and wasnt aware he could get hooked on heroin. Have you made the transition from Adams County to Columbus? Ive been living in Columbus since May. And my wife, Meredith, moved here in August and took a job as a middle school talented and gifted coordinator in the Olentangy school district. Were both from Adams County, so we never want to get too far from there. But we love Columbus and spending time here.
Photo by Mary Alice Casey

the state medical and pharmacy boards, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Attorneys Office, and law enforcement to coordinate efforts on the overall opiate problem. For example, the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), Special Prosecutions Unit, and Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission are coordinating with local, state, and federal agencies on 17 investigations involving opiates. Haslam has been designated as a special assistant U.S. attorney to prosecute opiate cases. In other developments: The Attorney Generals Office scheduled a multistate law enforcement summit on prescription drug abuse at this years Law Enforcement Conference. The Ohio Police Officer Training Academy offers free trainings on prescription drug diversion throughout the state and online through eOPOTA. The Attorney Generals Office has created an internal working group and external advisory council on prescription drug abuse. The latter includes peace officers, judges, educators, health care experts, and prevention and poison control professionals. Ohio is working with other states to share prescription drug monitoring information. Pilot projects are in place with Kentucky and Indiana. As many as 30 states may participate by 2012. In addition to addressing the opiate problem, the Attorney Generals Office worked to include language on analog drugs and so-called bath salts in a new law that took effect July 15. Originally drafted to ban synthetic cannabinoids, the law was broadened to list derivatives of cathinone, the active ingredient in bath salts, and analog drugs as Schedule I controlled substances. Former BCI forensic chemist Erin Reed, now an assistant attorney general, has researched analog drugs and advocated action to restrict them. The law was needed, she said, to prosecute underground chemists who were avoiding prosecution simply by slightly altering the chemical structure of controlled substances.

1994 Ohio establishes an Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS), enabling the computerization of criminal fingerprint cards.

1998 BCI provides DnA analysis for the first time, meaning DnA evidence can be presented in criminal prosecutions. The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies accredits BCI.

1999 BCIs current headquarters opens in London. The $20.3 million, state-ofthe-art facility is three times the size of the former accommodations.

2002 The American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board accredits BCIs Laboratory Division. 2011 A new law requires DnA to be collected from all felony arrestees. BCI establishes an Athens office to enhance polygraph and evidence intake services.

2001 Ohio connects to the national CODIS network. The state has its first CODIS hit when DnA from a Warren County rape case is entered into the database and it matches that of an offender earlier convicted of aggravated burglary.

FALL 2011 5

TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy Courses
The following courses are available free. To register, visit www.OhioAttorneyGeneral. gov/OPOTARegistration. Visit www.Ohio AttorneyGeneral.gov/OPOTACourses for information on additional trainings or www. OHLEG.org for online training options. Investigations of Public Safety Vehicle Collisions Covers best practices in handling public safety vehicle collision investigations. A course on ethics coincides with it at the same locations. OPOTA Course 03-663-11-02 nov. 10, 13 p.m. Owens Community College, Perrysburg OPOTA Course 03-663-11-03 Dec. 7, 13 p.m. Cincinnati Police Academy Awareness of Distressed Combat Veteran Issues and Response Provides awareness of issues confronting distressed combat veterans, including posttraumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, and best de-escalation practices Tactical and Legal Considerations for Vehicle Stops and Approaches Covers best tactical and legal protocols to apply during vehicle stops, including dangerous stops, Terry v. Ohio, and other Fourth Amendment considerations OPOTA Course 05-492-11-01 Oct. 24, 8 a.m.noon Creekside Conference Center, Gahanna OPOTA Course 05-492-11-02 nov. 7, 8 a.m.noon Cincinnati Police Academy OPOTA Course 05-492-11-03 nov. 30, 8 a.m.noon The University of Toledo Scott Park Campus Range Medical Emergencies and the Firearms Instructor Addresses legal issues, required medical equipment, anaphylactic shock, heat disorders, gunshot injuries, impaled objects, and controlling bleeding OPOTA Course 06-469-11-03 nov. 2, 10 a.m.2 p.m. Cincinnati Police Academy OPOTA Course 06-469-11-04 nov. 21, 10 a.m.2 p.m. Greene County Career Center, Xenia Ethics This course advises law enforcement officers how to resolve ethical issues encountered while performing their duties. A course on investigating public safety vehicle collisions coincides with it at the same locations. OPOTA Course 02-194-11-02 nov. 10, 9 a.m.noon Owens Community College, Perrysburg OPOTA Course 02-194-11-03 Dec. 7, 9 a.m.noon Cincinnati Police Academy
6 CRIMInAL JUSTICE UPDATE

Resources are a click away

Dozens of law enforcement resources are available on the Ohio Attorney Generals website. Here is a recap of the most popular available at www.OhioAttorneyGeneral. gov/LawEnforcementServices: Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) The Ohio Law Enforcement Gateway (OHLEG) is a secure, Web-based platform that provides valuable tools and resources. One new feature provides security threat group information maintained by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC). Agencies can enter an individuals name to see if ODRC lists him as being part of a gang or other security threat group; where he is or has been incarcerated; who else in his gang is in the same prison; and other details. The resource also lists whether an individual has tattoos (and provides photos of them) and notes scars and other marks. This could help identify a suspect with a certain tattoo, scar, or mark. OHLEGs Photo Lineup Wizard is now more user-friendly. The application, used to create lineups in a folder or six-photo array format, lets officers select the sources from which they pull photos so all images have similar characteristics. It also allows officers to upload photos of their own. Peace Office Training Academy (OPOTA) OPOTA has introduced a new feature that allows law enforcement officers and instructors to update their contact information at www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov/ OPOTAUpdate. Police chiefs, sheriffs, peace officers, instructors, and basic training commanders can use the form to make sure they receive OPOTAs regional training and curriculum updates. The electronic OPOTA course catalog lists classes available at the London and Richfield campuses as well as regional trainings. OPOTA also announces regional trainings via e-mail. Instruction also is available online through eOPOTA, which has expanded to include more than 60 courses. An electronic Law Enforcement Directory provides contact information for Ohio police chiefs and sheriffs and links to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, state agencies, and Ohio correctional facilities. Concealed carry resources Concealed carry laws are covered in a new publication that includes an application. Download it via a link at www.OhioAttorney General.gov/LawEnforcementServices.

OPOTA Course 02-197-11-01 nov. 14, 9 a.m.1 p.m. Creekside Conference Center, Gahanna OPOTA Course 52-197-11-01 nov. 28, 9 a.m.1 p.m. OPOTA Richfield First Responder to Sexual Assault Covers interacting with sexual assault nurse examiners and victim advocates, conducting victim interviews, processing crime scenes and suspect kits, and using BCIs CHASE system OPOTA Course 53-550-11-02 nov. 18, 9 a.m.3 p.m. OPOTA Richfield Interacting with the Special Needs Population A one-day refresher course for law enforcement professionals dealing with special populations encounters OPOTA Course 52-193-11-01 nov. 22, 8 a.m.4 p.m. OPOTA Richfield Implementing Intelligence-Led Policing Covers hiring, selecting, and training criminal analysts; functions of the criminal analyst and interaction with police command; and useful crime analysis tools and software OPOTA Course 51-499-11-01 Dec. 12, 8 a.m.5 p.m. OPOTA Richfield FBI Street Survival Training Emphasizes a study examining 40 incidents in which peace officers survived life-threatening attacks and identifies training issues Dec. 6, 8 a.m.5 p.m. (Course 55-426-11-01) Dec. 7, 8 a.m.5 p.m. (Course 55-426-11-02) OPOTA Richfield

Observance sheds light on domestic violence

By Alissa Romstadt
Victim advocates are lighting the night sky this October in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The Ohio Attorney Generals Office is partnering with Ohio programs and agencies in the Purple Light nights campaign and other activities to raise awareness about domestic violence issues. Purple Light nights began in 2007 in Covington, Wash., where people were encouraged to display purple lights in homes and businesses to raise awareness of domestic violence. In 2008, the Domestic Violence Center in Cleveland brought the program to Ohio. To raise awareness of the campaign statewide, the Ohio Domestic Violence network serves as the lead agency to expand the program in Ohio and posts all activities on its website at www.odvn.org (click on the DVAM tab). It is important that we recognize Domestic Violence Awareness Month every year because the violence isnt ending, said Sandy Huntzinger, victim services coordinator with the Attorney Generals Crime Victim Section. Weve seen improved responses from the judicial system, Child Protective Services, law enforcement, and advocates, and yet the violence continues. By acknowledging every year that this is still an issue, we recognize that we continue to have work to do. Ohio law enforcement reported more than 36,000 domestic violence cases to the Bureau of Criminal Investigation from January through July. However, Anne Lyon, who compiles the stats, said the figure is low because not all agencies submit the required reports. Agencies use the stats to seek funds for shelters, medical treatment, counseling, legal aid, and other assistance for victims. The Crime Victim Section awards about $7 million in state and federal funds annually to Ohio domestic violence programs and provides trainings for advocates. Visit www. OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov/Victim for details. RIGHT: Jewish Family Services introduced Purple Light Nights in Columbus, where the LeVeque Tower is adorned in purple lights throughout October.

COVER STORY

women on the ground who are risking their lives every day to protect our families. Bringing these courses directly into the communities and directly to the people is the future of law enforcement training. Times have changed, and we want to be flexible and adaptable to meet current and future needs of law enforcement. A wide array of courses also is available at the London and Richfield OPOTA campuses. And when traveling to regional trainings or OPOTA campuses isnt an option, online courses

through eOPOTA are a good (and popular) alternative. The lineup of courses all available 24/7 at no cost to local agencies has more than doubled in recent years, now totaling more than 60. All courses are listed in OPOTAs online catalog at www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov/ OPOTACourses. To receive e-mail alerts about OPOTAs regional offerings, share your e-mail and other contact information at www. OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov/OPOTAUpdate.

Attorney Generals staff updating basic peace officer curriculum

OPOTA students learn how to manage death scenes, including identification and excavation techniques. Continued from Page 1

Officer Training Commission that oversees it. OPOTA also works to keep the content of regional trainings relevant to a broad law enforcement audience, currently covering such topics as prescription drug abuse, tactical and legal considerations in traffic stops, awareness of distressed combat veteran issues, and basic crime scene investigation. In addition to OPOTA instructors, the faculty includes law enforcement professionals, higher education instructors, medical personnel, and others who regularly practice what they teach. As DeWine says, We are here to serve law enforcement. This is about customer service. This is about meeting the current needs of the men and

In addition to its role in overseeing advanced peace officer training, the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission (OPOTC) sets the curricula for basic peace officer training as well as that of parole, probation, and corrections officers; jailers; bailiffs; private security officers; and humane agents. In a major undertaking that hasnt been tackled in 45 years, the OPOTC staff, with input from law enforcement from across the state, is conducting the first comprehensive review and revision of the states basic peace officer training curriculum. Since its implementation in 1966, Ohios standard approach to training new peace officers has grown from 120 hours originally to 582 hours today. While OPOTC added topics and incorporated changes through the years, until now it has not conducted an in-depth evaluation and update of the curriculum. The curriculum is taught in about 65 academies that law enforcement agencies, higher education institutions, and

adult education/vocational schools operate around the state. OPOTC staff is working with subject matter experts, conducting research, and incorporating instructional techniques to update the curriculums 109 lesson plans. The 32 revised so far were released this spring for implementation in academies statewide July 1. Those lesson plans received priority attention because they focus on tasks affecting officer safety or liability issues. The commission has made important additions and changes to the curriculum through the years, but this type of thorough review is long overdue, Attorney General Mike DeWine said. Research has led to huge advancements in law enforcement practices, and we want Ohios method of training new peace officers to reflect them. Put simply, public safety and officers lives depend on it.
FALL 2011 7

dRUG TAKE BACK

NatioNal PrescriPtioN drug take back day set for oct. 29 The Ohio Attorney Generals Office and law enforcement agencies throughout Ohio will take part in a national initiative to collect and properly dispose of prescription medications. The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29. It is being spearheaded by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. For a complete list of participating agencies, visit www.dea.gov.

Photos by Mary Alice Casey

BCI Special Agent Mark ellinwood poses with Agi, a 2-year-old dutch shepherd and one of four dogs the bureau uses for drug detection. To arrange for canine assistance from BCI, call 855-BCI-OHIO (855224-6446).