May 29, 2020
I understand why some residents are angry.
I'm angry, too. Angry at the injustices perpetrated on our black and
brown brothers and sisters. Angry at the racism that persists in our
country year after year.
We know that racism exists in our
city, in our neighborhoods, in the workplace and in the Columbus Division of
Police. Chief Quinlan has been making solid steps toward implementing
plans to flush out racism and to eliminate it from the ranks. He is
working to improve community police relations.
We need to hire more people of color
to be police officers to reflect the diversity of our beautiful city, and we
are working hard to do that. We have started a cadet program to work as a
pipeline to recruit more women and men of color to serve. Our last police
recruit classes have shown greater diversity than in the last decade.
This isn't enough. We can do
more and we will. Chief Quinlan is forming a chief's council to hear
directly from residents. He formed the Police and Community Together Team
(PACT) to address human trafficking with the community. He has put in
place officer wellness checks before incidents happen and has eliminated
officers’ ability to use accrued leave to pay off suspensions.
Real change is a community
effort. And it is hard. It takes every one of us to make change
happen. And yes, it takes protests to show anger and frustration.
But protests must remain
peaceful. Last night, a few people used the opportunity of the protest to
vandalize the Statehouse, the Ohio Theatre and other businesses downtown.
That accomplishes nothing and will not be tolerated. Nor will throwing
objects at the police.
Neighbors, this is our city. It
is what we make it. Let's use our frustration not to tear down and
destroy but to lift up and make change.