City of Columbus Appoints Jacqueline Hendricks-Moore as Inspector General
Jacqueline Hendricks-Moore
has been named the first-ever Inspector General for the City of Columbus. Hendricks-Moore
is currently a Senior Investigator for the City of Detroit’s Office of
Inspector General and was selected from a strong pool of 29 applicants after an
extensive national search, numerous interviews and a virtual community town
hall.
“The Inspector General
will advance policing reform by conducting independent investigations into
claims of police misconduct and wrongdoing,” said Mayor Andrew J. Ginther. “I
am confident that Ms. Hendricks-Moore will embrace transparency, ensure
accountability and act with integrity in all her interactions with residents
and law enforcement.”
A retired police sergeant
with over 34 years of experience in criminal justice, law enforcement, and
policy development, Hendricks-Moore has a proven track record in leading
investigations, rooting out corruption, and auditing and overhauling key
operating procedures like the City of Detroit’s "Stop and Frisk" and Official
Badge policies. She holds a bachelor's degree from Wayne State University and a
Master of Public Administration from Central Michigan State.
Mayor Ginther created the
Community Safety Advisory Commission in 2017 to study and formulate methods for
improving community-police relations. Establishing independent oversight of the
Division of Police – through an Office of the Inspector General and a Civilian
Police Review Board – were among the 80 recommendations presented by the
commission in January 2020. Later that year, Mayor Ginther advanced Issue 2 to
amend the City Charter to implement both entities, a measure that was
overwhelmingly approved by voters.
The Civilian Police Review
Board was seated last year and held its first meeting in August, quickly
beginning its search for an Inspector General.
Civilian Police Review
Board Chair Janet Jackson emphasized the collaborative relationship between the
board and the Inspector General. “This is a vital step forward in realizing the
full impact of the Civilian Police Review Board. The Office of the Inspector
General will serve as an important partner as we continue to restore trust and
improve transparency in our community.”
“I am honored to be
appointed Columbus’ first Inspector General,” said Hendricks-Moore. “I know the
importance of trust between the community and police and will work hard in my
role to help restore that trust through thorough, impartial investigations and
the call for accountability when the evidence points to wrongdoing.”
Hendricks-Moore will begin
her new role with the City of Columbus on March 8, 2022.