COLUMBUS – Columbus mayor Andrew Ginther says a panel will begin formulating a plan for a civilIan board to review police policies and procedures by July 1 with the goal of appointing a permanent board by the end of the year.
Ginther called the formation of the board his “top priority” in contract negotiations with the Fraternal Order of Police, set to begin this year.
The NAACP Columbus Chapter wants any review board to be granted the power to issue subpoenas.
The city is also evaluating the police division’s policies concerning the use of force, especially as it relates to the use of chemical agents like pepper spray and tear gas to disperse crowds such as those that faced off against officers during several days of sometimes destructive protests over the death of a black man, George Floyd, at the hands of Minneapolis police in March 25, Ginther said.
He also called for a third-party investigation, possibly involving the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, into all incidents of use of deadly force and other complaints and violations of Division of Police policy that demand independent review.
Ginther and Columbus Police Chief Tom Quinlan briefed the Columbus Community Safety Advisory Commission on progress toward implementation of recommendations handed down in January.
“I am committed to change to make the Division the very best it can be, going beyond what the Commission recommended. This progress report does not represent the end of our work, but only the beginning, ” Quinlan said.
He said almost two thirds of the commission’s recommendations have been implemented or are in the process of being implemented.