Officer
  • Honoring The Fallen
  • Publications
  • Subscribe
  • Advertise
  • Forums
  • Contact Us
  • Vehicles & Fleet
  • Tactical
  • Training & Careers
  • On The Street
  • Investigations
  • Command/HQ
  • Technology
  • Virtual Academy
  • Stations
  • Podcasts
  • Product Guide
  • Topics
    Vehicles & FleetTacticalTraining & CareersOn The StreetInvestigationsCommand/HQTechnologyProduct Guide
    Resources
    ForumsProduct GuideHonoring The FallenBy ContributorsExpert InsightsPublicationsWhitepapersWebinarsOriginal ContentJobs
    User Tools
    SubscribeAdvertiseContact UsPrivacy PolicyTerms & Conditions
    https://www.facebook.com/officercom
    https://www.linkedin.com/company/officer-com
    https://twitter.com/officercom
    1. Tactical
    2. SWAT

    Ohio Governor Signs Law Making 'Swatting' Felony Offense

    Jan. 4, 2023
    Under the new law, which was signed this week by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, swatting becomes a fourth-degree felony, and it's raised to a second-degree felony if someone is hurt in the incident.

    Source Officer.com News

    Office of the Ohio Governor
    Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine.
    Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine.

    Ohio's governor signed a new law this week that makes "swatting" a felony offense in the state.

    Frequently tied to the online gaming community, swatting is when a person—possibly an irate gamer or someone looking to intimidate an elected official—calls 9-1-1 to falsely accuse a victim of a crime that initiates a SWAT response. In many cases, the victims and the perpetrators don’t even live in the same geographic areas.

    • RELATED: No Joke: Searching for Serious Solutions to 'Swatting'

    During a flurry of signings Monday, Gov. Mike DeWine gave the final OK to House Bill 462, which raised reporting false information to a law enforcement or public safety agency answering point to a fourth-degree felony, WCPO-TV reports. Individuals convicted of a fourth-degree felony face a minimum sentence of six months in prison and can be sentenced to up to 18 months, along with being liable for reimbursements to the agencies.

    A swatting offense is elevated to a second-degree felony if anyone is injured in the incident. If convicted, a person can face an additional two to five years in prison, as well as $15,000 in fines.

    After a noticeable drop in cases around the country, swatting incidents saw an increase at the end of last year. Colleges, high schools and other educational institutions in Ohio, Georgia, Alabama and other states were targeted with 9-1-1 calls and bomb threats.

    Continue Reading

    N.C. Police Prevent Active Shooter Incident after 'Credible' Threat Reported

    Buffalo Police Officers Honored for Bravery During 2022 Blizzard

    Sponsored Recommendations

    Whitepaper: A New Paradigm in Digital Investigations

    July 28, 2023
    Modernize your agency’s approach to get ahead of the digital evidence challenge

    A New Paradigm in Digital Investigations

    June 6, 2023
    Modernize your agency’s approach to get ahead of the digital evidence challenge.

    Listen to Real-Time Emergency 911 Calls in the Field

    Feb. 8, 2023
    Discover advanced technology that allows officers in the field to listen to emergency calls from their vehicles in real time and immediately identify the precise location of the...

    2022 Transparency and Trust Report - Public Safety & Community Relationships

    Nov. 16, 2022
    Veritone releases its 2022 Law Enforcement Transparency and Trust Report delivering Five Key Findings of Community Sentiment on Policing

    Voice your opinion!

    To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Officer, create an account today!

    I already have an account

    Latest in SWAT

    SWAT

    San Antonio Police SWAT Unit Rescues 3 Children in Domestic Disturbance

    Dec. 1, 2023
    Arvin Temkar | Atlanta Journal Constitution | TNS
    SWAT

    Ga. Police Officer Talks Turkey about Working Thanksgiving Shift

    Nov. 23, 2023
    Martin County, FL, Sheriff's Office
    SWAT

    Dog Surrenders, Jumps in BearCat as Fla. SWAT Officers Serve Warrant

    Nov. 22, 2023

    Most Read

    Keeping an Eye on Traffic with Automatic License Plate Readers

    LAPD Chief Talks About How Freeway Closure is Impacting Officers

    Deadline Extended for 2023 OFFICER Station Design Awards Nominations

    Sponsored

    Listen to Real-Time Emergency 911 Calls in the Field

    Officer
    https://www.facebook.com/officercom
    https://www.linkedin.com/company/officer-com
    https://twitter.com/officercom
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Do Not Sell or Share
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions
    © 2023 Endeavor Business Media, LLC. All rights reserved.
    Endeavor Business Media Logo