COLUMBUS – The Columbus Division of Police will have a new chief by the end of the year, but not much before that, according to a timeline released by Mayor Andrew Ginther and a search committee introduced Monday.
The formal search for the replacement for Kim Jacobs, who retired in February, began with the announcement of the search advisory committee, consisting of city and law enforcement officials and community and religious leaders.
Columbus Chief of Police Search Advisory Committee:
– Dawn Tyler Lee, chair, Deputy Chief of Staff of External Affairs in the Office of the Mayor
– Dallas Baldwin, Franklin County Sheriff
– Dee Debenport, Coordinator, Merion Village Block Watch
– Stephanie Hightower, President, Columbus Urban League
– Rev. Dr. Jefferey P. Kee, New Faith Baptist Church of Christ
– Kenny Ramos, Retired Sergeant, Columbus Division of Police
– Siobhan Boyd-Nelson, Development Director, Equality Ohio
– Pastor Brian Williams, Hope City House of Prayer
“I am excited about the diverse perspectives, experiences and backgrounds this talented group of community leaders will bring to the search process,” said committee chair Dawn Tyler Lee, Ginther’s Deputy Chief of Staff of External Affairs.
The committee will meet for the first time this week with the hiring of a search firm at the top of its agenda. The firm selected will manage community outreach on the search process, Ginther said.
“In the coming weeks, we will be inviting residents to share their thoughts about what they would like to see in our next police chief. We will be engaging a variety of people in a variety of ways. We want to hear from students, seniors and everyone in between,” Ginther said.
A request-for-proposal is expected to be released this week, a selection is expected to be made by end of May and the firm should begin its work by July.
Candidate recruitment will be complete by the end of October, followed by interviews and additional community engagement with the selection of a new chief expected by the end of the year, Ginther said.
Once the committee has announced its candidates, the Initial rounds of interviews will be conducted by the end of October with the finalists for the post meeting community leaders and undergoing another round of interviews between October and December and a final decision due in December or January.
Ginther has said that his ideal candidate will be “a change agent who will pursue innovation and excellence in policing” and be guided by the recommendations of the resident-led Safety Advisory Commission.
“I am looking for someone committed to increasing diversity among police officers, aligning how we police with community expectations, and approaching this position as an opportunity to serve and protect every person in every neighborhood,” he said.