FOP President McDonald Criticizes Decision by the Ohio DODD

Fraternal Order of Police of Ohio President Jay McDonald today called on the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities to reverse their decision to remove police officers from the Developmental Centers.

“The Department’s actions are a shameless attempt to save some money on the backs of those who swore an oath to protect and serve”, said McDonald.   “The dangers on the campuses are not only from non-residents but also increasingly from court-ordered commitments” he continued. 

President McDonald also pointed out that the police officers at the developmental centers provide for the safety of other staff.  He pointed to enforcement of restraining orders, drug interdiction, traffic enforcement, and general provision of protective services to the staff as necessary for the preservation of order at the centers. “The mere presence of police officers at the centers often serves as a deterrent to crime”, McDonald said.  

McDonald also pointed out that these actions fly in the face of arbitration decisions and indicated that the Fraternal Order of Police will fight to restore the positions being abolished. “The F.O.P., Ohio Labor Council,” he said “is already in the process of preparing grievances and looking at other possible actions”.