And more changes are coming. Mayor Andrew J. Ginther s is expected to name a new police chief this week the first ever to be hired from outside the division s ranks.
But the changes in the last year are a drop in the bucket compared to what needs to be done, according to local activists.
Hana Abdur-Rahim, an organizer with the Black Abolitionist Collective of Ohio, called the city’s actions performative. She said community members have pushed for a civilian police review board for years, and she believes it’s telling that the city didn’t move forward with it until after Floyd’s death.
Final 4 candidates explain why they should be the next Columbus police chief in virtual town hall 10tv.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from 10tv.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
The four finalists to be the next Columbus police chief Elaine Bryant, Derrick Diggs, Avery Moore and Ivonne Roman will answer questions from the public during a 90-minute forum Wednesday.
The forum, which begins at 6 p.m., will be livestreamed on the city s YouTube and Facebook pages, as well as broadcast on CTV.
For the first time in the city s history, Columbus will hire from outside the city to lead the Division of Police.
Questions can be submitted in advance of the community forum by emailing policechiefsearch@columbus.gov.
The Dispatch reached out to all four finalists. Bryant is the only one who responded and spoke with The Dispatch, though the newspaper interviewed people familiar with most of the candidates.
Columbus police chief candidates discuss plans, visions for the community 10tv.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from 10tv.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.