COLUMBUS – Voters in Columbus will have a chance to weigh in on a proposed civilian review board to investigate police misconduct.
Mayor Andrew Ginther and Columbus City Council announced Monday that they would place a proposed city charter amendment on the November ballot that would provide a framework for the powers of a review board, as recommended by the Columbus Community Safety Advisory Commission in January and which Ginther and other city leaders called for following protests in downtown Columbus.
“The charter amendment will allow Columbus voters to clearly demonstrate their desire for police reform,” Ginther said.
He says the board would direct an independent Inspector General department for the city police department.
The board would have subpoena powers, authority to conduct independent investigations and recommend disciplinary action, and be fully staffed and funded
City Council will hold a public hearing on the proposal Wednesday and is expected to approve the plan on Monday.
Many details must be worked out with the union representing Columbus police but Ginther and council leaders say approval of a charter amendment by voters make it clear to the Fraternal Order of Police that this reform is what residents’ want.