Mayor Ginther, Chief Quinlan provide update on Columbus Community Safety Advisory Commission Report

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – The public received an update on the Columbus Community Safety Advisory Commission Report, Friday.

Mayor Andrew Ginther, along with Columbus Division of Police Chief Thomas Quinlan held a news conference Friday to provide an update to the community on the Columbus Community Safety Advisory Commission Report.

“There is no greater priority than combatting racism in every corner of our community, including within the Division of Police, and stopping police violence against people of color in Columbus. It is long past time,” said Mayor Ginther.

Chief Quinlan stated that almost two thirds of the Commission’s recommendations have been implemented or are in the process of being implemented. Progress is being made in the review all of the remaining – except for six, that fall outside of Chief Quinlan’s purview.

“I am committed to change to make the Division the very best it can be, going beyond what the Commission recommended,” said Chief Quinlan. “This progress report does not represent the end of our work, but only the beginning.”

Completed recommendations include:

·         Independent investigations of  internal and external discrimination complaints

·         Creation of community affairs/relations bureau and youth services unit

·         Expanded access to language services

Recommendations in progress include:

·         Cultural competency training

·         Juvenile justice training and de-escalation with youth

·         Continued Crisis Intervention Training (CIT), including for dispatchers

·         Overhaul of Employee Action Review System of officers

·         Continuation of Columbus Community Safety Advisory Commission to assure recommendations are completed.

Mayor Ginther also stated that a civilian review board of some type would be the top priority in negotiations with the Fraternal Order of Police.

Per the Commission’s recommendation, he announced the formation of a work group by July 1 to develop a model for the civilian review board, with the goal of having the review board established by end of 2020.