(The Center Square) — As cities large and small throughout Ohio continue to struggle to retain and recruit new police officers, filling vacancies could become a little easier.

The Ohio House recently passed legislation that would eliminate unnecessary exams if departments prove the competitive component of the exam is unnecessary, and that the applicant has exceptional qualifications needed to fill the role.

“House Bill 44 will expedite the process to get well-trained officers on the field, ultimately increasing the safety of our communities and directly addressing workforce needs,” Rep. Kevin Miller, R-Newark, said.

The bill would also allow police chiefs to facilitate training programs for new cadets, and when the program is complete, the cadet can be immediately hired.

Also included is an amendment that modifies police chief training requirements. Currently, new chiefs of police have to take a training course in Columbus.

The new legislation would allow that training to take place at approved regional facilities around the state.

Over the past several years, both rural, suburban and metropolitan communities have reported difficultly filling thousands of police officer positions around the state.

Cleveland has reported 300 police officer openings. Cincinnati and Columbus have reported similar shortages.

“Currently, law enforcement recruitment in the U.S. and in Ohio specifically has become increasingly difficult, resulting in many vacancies in agencies large and small. Just this past summer, the International Association of Chiefs of Police conducted a nationwide survey of police executives on this very issue,” Heinz von Eckartsberg, with the Ohio Association of Police Chiefs, said. “The results of the survey indicate that police agencies nationwide are operating on average, at a nearly 10% deficit. In addition, about 65% of respondents to the survey indicated that they have had to ‘reduce services or specialized units because of staffing challenges.'”