The Ohio Bailiffs and Court Officers Association
News

Senate Bill 77, which provides significant requirements for interrogations, lineups, and preserving evidence, took effect Tuesday (Ju.y 20, 2010). I wanted to let you know of several resources in our office that may be of assistance as you navigate these requirements.

1. FAQs: Answers to frequently asked questions about the new law are available on the Attorney General's website at the following link:

www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov/SB77

2. Lineup procedure: The Ohio Law Enforcement Gateway contains a "Lineup Wizard" that can assist officers in creating a photo lineup. The Lineup Wizard may be accessed by running an OHLEG-SE search on your suspect and selecting the Lineup Wizard button from the search results page. We are also in the process of adding to OHLEG a checklist and instructions for conducting photographic lineups.

3. Resource: Matt Kanai, who serves as our General Counsel for Law Enforcement, is our in-house expert on SB 77. Feel free to call or e-mail Matt if you have questions (614-466-9595 or Matthew.Kanai@OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov), or call me at (740) 845-2700.

4. Training: The Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy will present training on the ramifications of Senate Bill 77 on lineup procedures, custodial interrogations, and the collection and preservation of biological evidence. Join us for the following free trainings:

Aug. 2, 2010 | 9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. OPOTA Course #: 53-438-10-01 OPOTA-Richfield 4055 Highlander Parkway Richfield, OH 44286	Aug. 2, 2010 | 1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. OPOTA Course #: 53-438-10-02 OPOTA-Richfield 4055 Highlander Parkway Richfield, OH 44286	Aug. 6, 2010 | 9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. OPOTA Course #: 03-438-10-03 Columbus Police Academy 1000 N. Hague Ave. Columbus, OH 43204
Aug. 6, 2010 | 1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. OPOTA Course #: 03-438-10-04 Columbus Police Academy 1000 N. Hague Ave. Columbus, OH 43204	Aug. 13 | 9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. OPOTA Course #: 03-438-10-05 Cincinnati Police Academy 800 Evans St. Cincinnati, OH 45204	Aug. 13 | 1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. OPOTA Course #: 03-438-10-06 Cincinnati Police Academy 800 Evans St. Cincinnati, OH 45204
Aug. 23 | 9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. OPOTA Course #: 03-438-10-07 Hocking College Public Safety Building 3301 Hocking Parkway Nelsonville, OH 45764	Sept. 3 | 9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. OPOTA Course #: 03-438-10-08 Owens Community College 30335 Oregon Road Perrysburg, OH 43551	Sept. 3 | 1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. OPOTA Course #: 03-438-10-09 Owens Community College 30335 Oregon Road Perrysburg, OH 43551

OPOTA certificates will be presented to all pre-registrants, and there is no tuition fee for this training.

In addition to in-person training that OPOTA has made available to officers, a brief introductory online eOPOTA training course is available to law enforcement officers (including prosecutors) free of charge. The course may be accessed through OHLEG at the eOPOTA course catalog. The course is entitled SB 77's Effect on Investigative Procedures.

As always, please let us know if we can be of further assistance to you.

Sincerely,

Robert Fiatal
Executive Director
Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy

OPOTA is organizing a three week traditional bailiff course at London beginning August 23rd. The OPOTA course number is 01-495-10-101. Please share this information with the Bailiff community. OPOTA is still working on the new bailiff courses and related changes to the O.A.C.

Chief Court Constable Tom Chidester and BGSU intern Mike Londin participated in the 2010 Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics on June 23, 2010 in Wood County. Both of these participants started in Maumee and made stops at several sponsors including Kroger. After having lunch at the Wood County Courthouse Complex and then continued to North Baltimore.

A tornado struck Wood County on June 5, 2010 around 10:40 p.m. There were several areas that were destroyed which included Lake Township Police Department and Lake Schools. The Wood County Court Security department along with other law enforcement agencies provided 24 hour security at Lake Schools. The Wood County employee and picnic safety fair held on June 15th contributed funds from the bake sale to the Lake Township Fire department.

It is time to vote for your favorite Court Officer. Winners will be recognized at the 2010 Spring Conference. Please take time to read the instructions, print the nomination form, and vote by the deadline. Read instructions and print your form here.

I just want everyone to know what an outstanding job our security staff did yesterday. Amy Lewis had a child custody case with major security implications. Jimbo took his staff and rehearsed every possible problematic situation that this hearing could present. His staff along with 2 sheriff’s deputies were stationed strategically in the courtroom prepared for any disruption. Because there was such a show of force and preparedness, absolutely no problem occurred. I just wanted to inform you all of the outstanding way our security staff goes about their business. They perform their function in such a way that we take our well-being in this building for granted. Well, I want each of us to stop someone on our security staff today and thank them for allowing us to feel so at ease. Most of us have no idea, until well after the fact, how they may have abated a problematic situation which could have escalated to a full blown emergency. Folks, we are so very fortunate to have them!!

Wayne County Municipal Court just gained a new judge. Honorable William Rickett. Judge Rickett was recently appointed to fill the bench formerly held by retiring Judge Stuart Miller.

Congratulations to former Ohio Bailiffs and Court Officers Association award winner and long time supporter of court programs. Neil Hassinger, Medina County Sheriff, who won the primary election and will run unopposed in the 2008 general election.

The Court Security Department at the Wood County Courthouse has started a new program that is liked by the judges and helps keep children occupied while in the Court building. Court Security Officers have secured a grant from a local business to have coloring books, crayons, and stuffed animals near the courtrooms so that children can be occupied and quiet during court hearings. If you are interested in more information or how to setup a similar program, contact Tom Chidester, Chief Court Constable, at 419-354-9302.

Click to watch an online video about a weapon named "The Judge" by Taurus.

Click here to review the Disguised Weapons Index.