COLUMBUS (AP) — A deputy Detroit police chief was named to be the next Columbus police chief.
Mayor Andrew Ginther named Elaine Bryant, as the new chief of the Columbus Division of Police, making her the first Black woman to lead the force.
“She is a transformational leader with sound judgment and considerable experience, an effective advocate for change whose actions are rooted in compassion, empathy and engagement with those whom she serves and leads. I am confident that she is the right leader at the right time for the City of Columbus,” Ginther said.
Bryant is also the first outside candidate to become chief in department history.
“This is a pivotal moment to be stepping into this role, and I am firmly committed to embracing change, diversity, and clear and open communication to improve safety, enhance accountability and rebuild trust between officers and the community,” Bryant said.
Bryant has been with the Detroit police department since 2000 and has held several positions in the agency, including commander of its major crimes unit. She also coordinated the city’s responses to several high-profile events, including the 2006 Super Bowl.
She also led the Domestic Violence Unit, and served in the Equal Employment Opportunity Office and Internal Affairs Unit.
“I welcome Chief Elaine Bryant to her new role in Columbus,” City Council President Shannon Hardin said in a statement. “Drastic reform is necessary to rebuild trust between officers and residents across our neighborhoods. At the same time, we all need to work together to interrupt the record-pace violence we’ve seen on our streets this year.”
The announcement followed months of turmoil within the department amid a series of high-profile fatal police shootings of Black men and children.