Mayor Andrew J. Ginther Appoints Robert Clark as Director of Public Safety
Mayor Andrew J. Ginther announced the appointment of Robert
Clark as the Director of Public Safety effective on Sep. 26, 2021.
“Director Clark will bring both a fresh perspective and a
wealth of experience to Public Safety,” said Mayor Ginther. “He has 35 years of
local, federal and international law enforcement experience – including in the
Los Angeles Field Office of the FBI. He has a proven track record in community
service collaborations and brings strategic, data-driven results.”
A former Youngstown, OH, police officer, Clark spent much of
his career working with the U.S. Department of Justice FBI Los Angeles Field
Office as an assistant special agent in charge. He led more than 350 agents and
task force officers from ten agencies focused on disrupting gangs, drug cartels
and violent crime. He also collaborated with community leaders to build a youth
outreach and intervention program to mentor young people living and going to
school in neighborhoods plagued by crime. Most recently, Clark was the senior
superintendent for the Trinidad & Tobago Police Service, helping to build
infrastructure, upgrade policies and develop strategies to combat violent crime
and improve community relations.
“I got my start in public safety in Ohio, and I am thrilled
to be returning,” said Clark. “I am grateful to Mayor Ginther for the
opportunity to serve in this position at such an important time for our city. I
look forward to working with Police Chief Elaine Bryant and Fire Chief Jeffrey
Happ to advance changes, build community trust and keep Columbus neighborhoods
safe.”
Clark is a doctoral candidate in organizational leadership
and social justice at Adler University in Chicago.