On September 13, the Ohio Academy of Family Physicians (OAFP) Board of Directors met and affirmed the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) Policy on Discriminatory Policing as Ohio policy. The board’s mega issue discussion was prompted by a resolution on ending police brutality submitted by the Central Ohio Academy of Family Physicians.
The AAFP recognizes that policing is effective in reducing crime and promoting safety when there is consistent communication, transparency, and accountability in all interactions between the police and the public they serve. However, discriminatory policing and the use of excessive force pose health and safety hazards to individuals and communities of targeted populations, particularly people of color and other minority groups.
The AAFP supports the recommendations outlined in President Barack Obama’s 2015 Final Report of the President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing. The AAFP particularly agrees with the statement that law enforcement agencies should adopt and enforce policies prohibiting profiling and discrimination based on race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, age, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, immigration status, disability, housing status, occupation and language fluency. The AAFP supports the universal adoption of evidence-based de-escalation techniques and the use of the lowest level of force when force becomes necessary to maintain safety.
- Be it resolved, that the OAFP publicly support legislation that addresses the demilitarization of the police and other policies meant to eliminate police brutality in Ohio.
- Be it resolved, that the OAFP support efforts to reallocate funds from police budgets to schools, health care, and social services in Ohio.
Ample background information was collected to inform the board’s 60 minute discussion of the resolution. Staff solicited comments from the membership on this issue which resulted in the submission of 19 comments, 17 of which were supportive.