Welcome to the Community Relations and Engagement Committee web page!
Founded in 2018, the work of this committee is focused on how to promote Ohio’s finest and provide support to agencies. In 2019, the Sharing Ohio’s Best program was launched. This program provides an opportunity for a different agency to be recognized each month for their community policing strategies. Through the collaboration of the OACP Executive Board, member agencies, and the Law Enforcement Foundation this program has been successful in being a platform to showcase all of the good work that is done every day by our trained professionals. We’re happy to be a part of it!
Our committee was formed on the premise that law enforcement agencies face numerous challenges. Some seem insurmountable if not for partnerships. This committee’s focus remains on helping agencies continue to provide outstanding community policing philosophies and action.
During the challenging times of Covid and national unrest in 2020, agencies were faced with incredibly difficult obstacles. Public scrutiny seemed to be at an all-time high. In the background was this committee’s work to remain steadfast in our approach to help others succeed and share our appreciation for the hard work done to protect our communities. That is when our Sharing Ohio’s Best program really helped some agencies refocus on how to better promote their programs so that more knew of their talents.
In the years since this committee started, a lot of work has been put towards creating more opportunities to engage youth. With pride, we launched our first ever Teen Summit in 2023. This brought Central Ohio teens together at the Ohio State Highway Patrol Academy, where they were greeted by numerous Central Ohio and state agencies. It was a huge success! We hope to build upon that success with your help! Stay tuned…
In closing, we continue to encourage your participation. We value your input and ask you pass along your suggestions to your District Representative for further discussion.
All The Best,
Chief Brandon Standley, (Retired) Chair
Bellefontaine PD
Our Mission Statement:
The Community Relations and Engagement Committee helps promote the positive community policing strategies of Ohio’s law enforcement agencies that are members of the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police. Through collaboration, the committee works to share the excellent programs and strategies of our outstanding members. The committee will explore new ideas to help bring the “community” closer together with those law enforcement agencies that support peace and safety where they live, work, and play.
Our Vision Statement:
The Community Relations and Engagement Committee will work with willing agencies to excel and build upon their accomplishments to become premier community policing partners. Constant and consistent effort by Ohio’s professional law enforcement agencies will help bring greater safety and awareness to those we serve. There are no victories that are too small. Each step towards transparency and accountability within a police organization will help shape a brighter tomorrow. We will celebrate excellence and achievements to keep Ohio’s police agencies at the point of the spear in professionalism.
History of the Committee:
The Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police approved the formation of a new committee in 2018 named the Community Relations and Engagement Committee. Past President Brandon Standley was asked to be the committee’ first Chair. The committee’s membership includes representation from all over Ohio. This committee was born from the desperate need to share the positive news of our brave heroes on a more consistent basis by being creative. Further, the committee was needed to help create new relationships with community members and organizations. Since its inception, the committee has worked with a variety of entities to build a better tomorrow through better communication, education, service, and cooperativeness.