COLUMBUS, Ohio — Following a tough week for law enforcement in central Ohio where four officers were shot resulting in the death of a Morrow County sheriff's deputy and injured officers in Marysville and Mifflin Township, FOP Lodge #9 has asked for a review of judicial practices in Franklin County.

The letter was sent to prosecutors, judges and magistrates from FOP Lodge #9 President Brian Steel according to a Facebook post from the lodge.


What You Need To Know

  • FOP Lodge #9 sent a letter to Franklin County judicial officials including prosecutors, judges and magistrates

  • The letter asks for a data-driven review of practices including violent crime, bail determinations and sentencing outcomes

  • Steel first addressed the checking of judicial practices during a press conference earlier this week

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Steel said in the letter the lodge represents more than 4,500 active, and retired law enforcement officers and deputies across 29 agencies within the county.

"I must express our growing concern that our county’s current criminal justice practices in Common Pleas and Domestic Relations are not working. Time and time again, we see violent adult and juvenile offenders receiving low bonds, being placed on community control, or being granted probation—even in cases involving serious, repeat offenses," the letter reads. "These decisions undermine the tireless efforts of our officers and prosecutors, put the public at unnecessary risk, and erode community confidence in our justice system."

The FOP is requesting a data-driven, thorough review of the county's prosecutorial and judicial practices regarding violent crime, sentencing outcomes and bail determinations.

"While we wholly recognize and support the role of rehabilitation in criminal justice, we must also be honest: rehabilitation is not a one-size-fits-all solution. In many cases, the repeated leniency shown toward violent and dangerous individuals has led only to more victims, more trauma, and higher rates of recidivism," the letter continues. "We urge you to consider whether the current practices truly serve the interests of justice and public safety."

During a press conference earlier this week regarding the arrest of the suspect in the Mifflin Township shooting that left two officers injured, Kevin Cavener, Trustee Chair of Mifflin Township, and Steel both addressed the media about the county's judicial practices.

“Let’s first admit that what we’re doing is not working,” Steel said during the conference. “This is not the first time I’ve stood here and I’ve been upset over a judge’s decision. If any judge that thinks they’re getting it right 100% of the time, that’s an issue. Law enforcement, we don’t get it right 100% of the time. I like the word reform. Reform’s not taking everything you’re doing and throwing it out, it’s taking what you do and let’s try to make it better.”

"We appreciate your attention to this urgent matter and remain committed to working together to build a justice system that is effective, responsible, and trusted by all," the letter reads. "We saw successful outcomes with Police reform in the last few years and recommend we now work on criminal justice."