COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP): The state says Ohio sheriffs and police chiefs are on board to help law enforcement agencies statewide comply with first-ever standards for use of deadly force.

The standard adopted last year would permit police to use deadly force only when officers are defending themselves or other people from serious injury or death.

The Ohio Collaborative Community-Police Advisory Board also adopted a new statewide standard for police recruiting and hiring.

The Department of Public Safety on Friday announced a partnership with the Buckeye State Sheriffs’ Association and the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police to assist agencies adopting the standards.

Agencies must adopt the standards as minimum policies by March 2017 to be included on a list of departments that fully implemented the standards.