Mayor, Police Chief Report Progress on Implementation of Safety Commission Recommendations
Mayor Andrew J. Ginther and Columbus Police Chief Tom
Quinlan briefed the Columbus Community Safety Advisory Commission on progress
toward implementation of their recommendations delivered in January.
“There is no greater priority than combatting racism in
every corner of our community, including within the Division of Police, and
stopping police violence against people of color in Columbus. It is long past
time,” said Mayor Ginther.
Chief Quinlan noted that almost two thirds of the Commission’s
recommendations have been implemented or are in the process of being
implemented. Progress is being made in the review all of the remaining – except
for six, that fall outside of Chief Quinlan’s purview.
“I am committed to change to make the Division the very best
it can be, going beyond what the Commission recommended,” said Chief Quinlan.
“This progress report does not represent the end of our work, but only the
beginning.”
Completed recommendations include:
- Independent investigations of internal and
external discrimination complaints
- Creation of community affairs/relations bureau
and youth services unit
- Expanded access to language services
Recommendations in progress include:
- Cultural competency training
- Juvenile justice training and de-escalation with
youth
- Continued Crisis Intervention Training (CIT),
including for dispatchers
- Overhaul of Employee Action Review System of
officers
- Continuation of Columbus Community Safety
Advisory Commission to assure recommendations are completed.
Mayor Ginther also stated that a civilian review board of
some type would be the top priority in negotiations with the Fraternal Order of
Police. Per the Commission’s recommendation, he announced the formation of a
work group by July 1 to develop a model for the civilian review board, with the
goal of having the review board established by end of 2020.
In addition, the Mayor said he will request a third-party
investigation into all incidents of fatal use of force and other use of force
complaints and violations of Division policy that demand independent review.
This recommendation will require engaging the state and the Ohio Bureau of
Criminal Investigation.
Mayor Ginther also noted that the City is evaluating the
use-of-force continuum, especially as it relates to the use of spray agents to
disperse crowd. This recommendation was made by Matrix, an independent
third-party firm that evaluated the Columbus Division of Police.
“For every change we will make, there will be a call for
more,” said Mayor Ginther. “But, if we start with what we know is true and
right, and we continue the hard work to implement the Commission’s
recommendations, we will make our community a safer place to live for all of
our residents.”