The Ohio Department of Public Safety certified The University of Toledo Police Department for meeting new state standards for the use of deadly force, agency recruitment and hiring.

The standards are the first of their kind in Ohio developed by the Ohio Collaborative Community-Police Advisory Board last year to strengthen community and police relations.

The UT Police Department joins more than 120 other agencies throughout the state who have become certified.

The state has partnered with the Buckeye State Sheriffs’ Association and the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police to help certify nearly 1,000 law enforcement agencies through a process to ensure they are in compliance with Ohio’s new standards.

“The Ohio Collaborative focused on police hiring practices and use of force, and we are pleased the University meets or exceeds the state standards,” UT Police Chief Jeff Newton said. “Building trust begins with assuring our community The University of Toledo Police Department is using best practices.”

For more information on the Ohio Collaborative Community-Police Advisory Board, the certification process and a list of certified agencies, go to ocjs.ohio.gov/ohiocollaborative.