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CEOSF Risk Management Letter
Since 1932, we have confirmed 24 incidents where a Code Official was murdered. In every case except one, the officer was murdered with a firearm. In every case, the Officer was not armed nor were they issued body armor. Whom It May Concern: The Code Enforcement Officer Safety Foundation (CEOSF) is a national charitable non-profit 501(c)(3) committed to promote the best practices for the safety of Code Officials throughout the United States; to provide a resource for officers
Aug 95 min read


Ohio Building Officials Pursuing Officer Safety
OBOA is seeking input through a survey regarding officer safety Ohio - The Ohio Building Officials Association (OBOA) is seeking input on officer safety. The survey can be completed by any official, not just those in Ohio. The Ohio Building Officials Association’s (OBOA) Legislation and By-Laws Committee is seeking information from OBOA members and non-members to better understand their experiences and views related to code compliance officer safety and statutory protections.
Aug 141 min read


Code Official Murdered - Ohio
2026 - On July 24th, Building Commissioner David Smerek was shot and killed North Royalton, OH - On July 24th, Building Commissioner David Smerek was shot and killed at the city's municipal building. Approximately 1,000 mourners crowded the streets on Monday to remember David and his service to the community the following Monday. 911 call: “Our Building Commissioner got shot.” Based on news reports, suspect Edward Biesiada (69 years old), just recently received a citation for
Jul 272 min read
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2026 Summer [Vol. 6 | Issue 4]
The CEOSF Officer Safety Newsletter is written by industry professionals about topics that we all face as Code Officials, ACO's, and Life Safety Inspectors
Jul 11 min read


Webinar: First Amendment Auditors
Join us for this live 3-hour webinar on 9/16 Join us on Wednesday, September 16th at 9am PST for this new webinar! The Foundation is hosting its highly acclaimed First Amendment Auditor training live for attendees to be able to ask questions and learn about this popular trend that is growing nationwide. Small towns are not immune to these audits! This class will discuss how to properly handle the interaction in City Halls, government buildings, and out in the field. The instr
Jun 211 min read


Surviving the Trenches: The Personal Impact of Code Enforcement
New Webinar - Wed 6/17 Code enforcement isn’t just “checking boxes”—it’s conflict management on someone else’s turf. The Code Enforcement Officer Safety Foundation (CEOSF) brings you this critical training on peer support and trauma. This is the introductory course. Code enforcement is front-line work—and it's relentless. Day after day, officers step into conflict, crisis, and community frustration during inspections, complaint calls, difficult conversations, and sometimes un
Apr 112 min read
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2026 Spring [Vol. 6 | Issue 3]
The CEOSF Officer Safety Newsletter is written by industry professionals about topics that we all face as Code Officials, ACO's, and Life Safety Inspectors
Apr 11 min read
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2026 Winter [Vol. 6 | Issue 2]
The CEOSF Officer Safety Newsletter is written by industry professionals about topics that we all face as Code Officials, ACO's, and Life Safety Inspectors
Jan 11 min read


Risk Management for Code Enforcement
FREE 2-hour training for CEU's Check out this FREE 2-hour updated class on Risk Management and Senate Bill 296! After 4 years of hosting our SB 296 panel discussion, we just launched a new 2-hour update to SB 296, risk management, and developing policies for your agency. Looking for free CEU's and a better understanding of managing risk in your organization? Look no further! This course covers: Background on SB 296 Interpretation and understanding of SB 296 Understanding the
Dec 14, 20251 min read


New Course on First Amendment Auditors
Check out this crucial training for only $49! The Foundation presents a new course on First Amendment auditors to assist government employees with being prepared for these visits. If you haven't seen the Youtube videos over the last few years, these auditors go into City Hall's and public buildings to record. These videos demonstrate the lack of training by public employees on the First Amendment and de-escalation. This crucial 3-hour training is ONLY $49!! Earn CEU's for ICC
Nov 30, 20251 min read


Donate & Receive a Swag Pack
Don't miss out on this chance to collect special CEOSF swag! In addition to our 8.09 Angel Donor Program, we are offering thank you swag packs for different donation levels. Our Angel Donors make a tax deductible automatic monthly donation of at least $8.09 to be an Angel Donor. For one time donations, you can receive our amazing swag! Donate now: https://www.codeofficersafety.org/support-us
Oct 4, 20251 min read
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2025 Fall [Vol. 6 | Issue 1]
The CEOSF Officer Safety Newsletter is written by industry professionals about topics that we all face as Code Officials, ACO's, and Life Safety Inspectors
Oct 1, 20251 min read


Bundle & Save!
Now offering a phenomenal deal - 25 hours of training for 66% off! Don't miss out on this great deal to save 66% on your training! Budgets are tight and flexible learning is key. Checkout this great opportunity to take the following courses for a steal of a price, while supporting a national nonprofit 501c3! SB296 Steps for Management Senate Bill 296 text CEOSF Risk Management Letter for Human Resources [downloadable] On-demand Webinar [90 min] Assessing your operation Memo t
Sep 27, 20252 min read


South Hanover Township building closed after receiving envelope full of white powder
2025 - South Hanover Township's public building will be closed to the public until further notice. Author: Nate Soisson Published: 11:29 AM EDT September 24, 2025 Updated: 6:03 PM EDT September 24, 2025 HUMMELSTOWN, Pa. — South Hanover Township's municipality building is closed until further notice after a disgruntled resident allegedly sent an envelope to the office containing an unidentified white powder at 161 Patriot Way, township officials said. Authorities arrested a ma
Sep 24, 20252 min read
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2025 Summer [Vol. 5 | Issue 4]
The CEOSF Officer Safety Newsletter is written by industry professionals about topics that we all face as Code Officials, ACO's, and Life Safety Inspectors
Jul 1, 20251 min read


New Officers Elected
The Board has selected its new officers for FY 25-26. Every June, the Foundation has its annual business meeting to elect its officers for the coming year. Board members are volunteer and do not have term limits. Officers are elected to one year terms. The Foundation was founded in 2020 and is a registered 501c3 nonprofit charity that promotes officer safety and risk management for Code Officials across the globe. We want to thank Tim Sun for his leadership over the last year
Jun 19, 20252 min read


ACO Mauled by Dog
2025 - Broward County Animal Care Animal Control officer was hospitalized with serious injuries after she was attacked by a dog. May 30, 2025 A woman who works as a Broward County Animal Care Animal Control officer was hospitalized with serious injuries after she was attacked by a dog in Fort Lauderdale Thursday night, police said. Fort Lauderdale Police said officers responded to the 700 block of Southwest 14th Terrace around 7:15 p.m. after receiving a call about a woman at
May 30, 20252 min read


Bylaw Officer Assaulted
2025 - Police in Innisfil charged a man after he allegedly assaulted a bylaw officer. May 5, 2025 Police in Innisfil charged a man after he allegedly assaulted a bylaw officer on shift back in March. On March 17, just after 3 p.m., South Simcoe Police responded to reports of an alleged assault along Colborne Street in Bradford. Officials say bylaw officers were out issuing parking enforcement, when they noticed vehicles that were parked in ‘no-stopping areas’ near a school cr
May 5, 20251 min read


CEOSF Launches New Advanced Certification
Earn your global certification as a COSS-AOA Learn more at: https://www.codeofficersafety.org/coss-aoa
Apr 19, 20251 min read
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2025 Spring [Vol. 5 | Issue 3]
The CEOSF Officer Safety Newsletter is written by industry professionals about topics that we all face as Code Officials, ACO's, and Life Safety Inspectors
Apr 1, 20251 min read
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