Latest news with #ColumbusDivisionofPolice
Axios
7 days ago
- Politics
- Axios
5 years later: Columbus' response to George Floyd's murder
Five years ago, the country took to the streets to protest the murder of George Floyd — but most feel the summer of 2020 did not result in changes that improved the lives of Black Americans, according to a new Pew Research Center survey. Why it matters: Despite the Black Lives Matter movement's visibility and protestors' calls for spending cuts, the Columbus Division of Police has more funding than ever. Fatal police shootings have continued, and Columbus continues to pay millions of dollars in police misconduct settlements. By the numbers: Pew finds 72% of Americans say the increased focus on racial inequality didn't lead to significant changes that helped Black people, Axios' Russell Contreras and Delano Massey report. Now, 52% of Americans express support for the Black Lives Matter movement, a 15 percentage point drop from June 2020. Flashback: That month, Mayor Andrew Ginther walked with protesters (and police), saying he felt"a sense of urgency for action" due to the demonstrations. "People are tired of talking, they're tired of studies, they're tired of recommendations, they want change and they want action and I think this movement can really help us make a ton of progress in a very short period of time." Ginther promised"significant, substantial and swift" change, prohibiting tear gas and limiting pepper spray for crowd control, instituting third-party investigations for police-involved deaths and creating a police civilian review board and police chief advisory panel. Voters approved the creation of the civilian review board that November. In May 2021, a federal judge ordered CPD to stop using tear gas, pepper spray, batons and rubber bullets against nonviolent protesters, writing that the case was a "sad tale of police officers, clothed with the awesome power of the state, run amok." Last year, a Ginther-requested U.S. Department of Justice report found that CPD doesn't track use of force data well enough to determine racial bias. The report concludes CPD "cannot definitively state that it is doing things very well, nor can it identify any underlying problems that may exist." What they're saying: CPD declined an interview request about the board and panel, instead issuing a statement that the board "plays a critical role in independently reviewing internal investigations, conducting its own inquiries, and offering recommendations regarding officer discipline and departmental policies." Asked for examples of the board's impact, CPD spokesperson Caitlyn McIntosh pointed to a new requirement this year for special duty officers to wear body cameras. A statement from Ginther's office said he's "proud of the progress" made by the board, adding that the city has "taken significant steps toward building a modern, community-centered approach to policing." Members of the review board were not made available for comment. The bottom line: For longtime activists and community organizers like Aramis Sundiata, executive director of the Ohio People's Justice Project, the events of 2020 were "a critical moment" but now represent an inflection point in shifting their focus to education and organization.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Yahoo
Columbus principal's confrontation with officer did not violate policy, district says
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Columbus City Schools completed its investigation into a confrontation between administrators at Ridgeview Middle School and a Columbus police officer, with a recommendation of no further administrative action. In a letter to families, Chief Transformation and Leadership Officer Dr. Corey D. Grubbs said the March 17 incident was reviewed by the Columbus City Schools Labor Management and Employee Relations team, which determined that no district policy was violated. 'The review determined that the actions of Principal Natalie James, Secretary Jackie Nash, and Safety and Security Specialist Larry Howell during the interaction with the Columbus Division of Police did not violate District policy and expectations, and no further administration action was recommended,' Grubbs wrote. Poisonous plant rapidly spreading across Ohio: what to do if you see it Grubbs said the video circulating on social media of the interaction does not capture the full context of the interaction. 'It is important to emphasize that Columbus City Schools and the Columbus Division of Police are committed to respectful, safe, and professional interactions at all times,' Grubbs wrote. 'Our school staff and CPD officers receive training in de-escalation and are expected to treat all individuals with dignity and fairness.' The officer involved in the interaction, Keith Conner, confronted the school board at Tuesday's meeting, indicating that this was not the first time officers have had issues at the school. 'In that video, you may see my frustration,' Conner said during public comment period of a Columbus City School Board meeting Tuesday, adding that it's been a culmination of years dealing with the school. 'My frustration still continues to this day.' Police officers were called to Ridgeview Middle School to investigate a threat, which was deemed not credible by school officials. Columbus police body camera video shows the officers, once inside the school, being told they can't go any further, sparking a disagreement between the principal and a police officer. Ohio Republican explains why he voted against Trump's 'big, beautiful bill' In the video, the school's secretary can be heard saying, 'Those guests you are expecting have arrived,' into a radio. 'You have to wait until they come to get you, sir,' the receptionist said. 'I'm here on official police business,' the officer said. 'I get that, but I just radioed for security, and you have to wait until they come to get you, OK? I'm just saying those are the rules I've been instructed,' she said. She tells officers they need to wait for the school security team. 'Okay, we have authority over safety and security, do you understand that?' Connor said. 'Columbus police have authority over…' 'You do not have authority over my principal,' the secretary said. 'So she tells me that for you guys to wait, you're not the first one to go through this. And I'm not trying to be combative, but he told me to let you know, let him know when you got here. He's coming to get you.' The woman and police continue to talk back and forth for about four minutes. Then James enters. 'If we have an emergency at the school, I should not have, I should not have to explain to this woman why I'm here,' Connor said. 'I don't come here for my, for party time. I come here on official police business. This is a game we've been playing for years. This is a game we no longer want to play with you. You should be welcoming us. You called us. But if you don't want me here, and if you want me to beg you, get through that door. Don't call me now.' The City of Columbus Department of the Inspector General is separately reviewing the officer's actions. That review had not been completed as of Wednesday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Yahoo
Sanctuary Night held in contempt of court for violating agreement with Columbus
Sanctuary Night, a Columbus nonprofit that serves women escaping sex trafficking and battling drug addiction, was held in contempt Thursday after it violated an agreement it made with the city to address its status as an alleged "nuisance" property. Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein filed a nuisance lawsuit against Sanctuary Night, located at 1195 Sullivant Ave. in Franklinton, on April 30, alleging it attracted criminal activity, open drug use and prostitution. On May 7, the city and the nonprofit came to a court-approved agreement where Sanctuary Night would prohibit drug and alcohol use on its premises, cut down on loitering, install Columbus Division of Police recommended security upgrades, ban camping and refrain from serving food to clients who identify as male, among other changes. According to court filings, a city environmental specialist attempted to enter Sanctuary Night on May 15 to conduct an inspection required by the agreement but was not allowed inside until after the nonprofit's staff evacuated its clients. Sanctuary Night's property manager told the inspector that entering would violate the HIPAA rights of clients currently in the building and asked him to sign a confidentiality agreement. The inspector refused to sign the agreement and conducted an exterior inspection while the nonprofit's employees tried to reach someone in upper management. The inspector was eventually allowed in once all the clients, except for one using the shower, had left. Stopping the inspector from entering while the nonprofit was occupied and operational prevented him from ensuring it complied with the city's May 7 agreement, according to court filings. As a result, Judge Stephanie Mingo moved to hold Sanctuary Night in contempt on Thursday, according to Pete Shipley, the communications director for City Attorney Zach Klein's office. Shipley said that the city will continue to monitor the nonprofit's compliance with the agreement and take appropriate action if it does not live up to the terms. Mayor Andrew Ginther said the city was a proud partner and supporter of Sanctuary Night but that everybody who operates in the community needed to be a good neighbor. "They're gonna be held accountable if they're not a good neighbor. But they provide critically important services," he said at a May 22 press conference. The next hearing in the case is set for July 24, according to court records. Sanctuary Night could not be reached for comment by the time of publication. Breaking and Trending News Reporter Nathan Hart can be reached at NHart@ and at @NathanRHart on X and at on Bluesky. This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus nonprofit Sanctuary Night held in contempt
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Yahoo
Police identify man killed by officer in northeast Columbus
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Police have identified a man who was killed on Monday by an officer after a domestic violence call in northeast Columbus. Jerry D. Smith, 37, was shot and killed after he reportedly fired at officers who were responding to a domestic violence call on Hampton Woods Court, police said. The two officers who were involved were 25- and 28-year veterans of the Columbus Division of Police. Police did not release the officers' names, citing Marsy's Law. A hurried change to a law meant for crime victims now shields the identities of officers who kill According to Columbus police, officers responded to the Easton Ridge Apartments on Hampton Woods Court in the Strawberry Farms neighborhood at approximately 9:40 p.m. When officers arrived at around 10 p.m. they were reportedly shot at while a woman was being held hostage. SWAT and hostage negotiators were notified and responded to the scene. Columbus Division of Police Sgt. Joe Albert said over the next hour he was able to make contact with Smith over the phone and with the assistance of negotiators attempted to deescalate the incident. The suspect continued to fire shots at SWAT officers on multiple occasions. 'He means it': Neighbor called 911 before Columbus police kill suspect At 11:46 p.m., Smith reportedly opened the door while holding the woman and raised a gun, at which time officers shot and injured him. He was pronounced dead at 11:55 p.m. The woman was able to escape and run towards safety. No officers were injured and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation is investigating the shooting. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Columbus police save family of geese on I-70
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Columbus traffic saw a different type of honking Friday morning. A family of geese infiltrated a Columbus highway, but two officers with the Columbus Division of Police (CPD) helped them safely cross the busy interstate. Video footage shows two officers stopping in the middle of Interstate 70 near West Broad Street to help the geese waddle safely. The video footage of an officer with the CPD officer helping escort a family of geese across the interstate was widely circulated Friday, posted to multiple law enforcement Facebook pages. Ohioans who have hosted 'Saturday Night Live' 'Just another day on the job for the CPD Goose Patr- we mean Freeway Patrol!' CPD posted. Although a leaf blower was used to escort the gaggle of geese, CPD clarified no geese were harmed, and officers just used the machine to create noise. One of the officers was 35-year CPD veteran Don Paden, whose brother — Guernsey County Sheriff Jeffrey Paden — congratulated him on Facebook. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
