COLUMBUS, Ohio — City Council President Shannon G. Hardin and local activists called for a federal investigation into the Columbus Division of Police on Thursday, demanding justice and accountability from those chosen to protect the community.
The announcement comes one day after Mayor Andrew Ginther released a letter calling for the U.S. Department of Justice to conduct a review to identify possible racial biases within the division.
During Thursday’s press conference, members of The Columbus Police Accountability Coalition and other activists said a review is not enough, asking for a formal investigation from the DOJ.
“We don’t want a review. I’m not interested in another committee,” said Adrienne Hood, whose son was killed by police in 2015. “Racism has been declared a crisis. What are we going to do to put action behind those resolutions?”
Columbus Urban League CEO Stephanie Hightower said, according to Mayor Ginther’s office, 46 of the 69 people shot by police in the Columbus community were Black.
“Public safety must be redefined,” said Hightower.
The Fraternal Order of Police, Capital City Lodge #9, responded to Ginther's calls for a review on Wednesday, saying in part, "The members of the Fraternal Order of Police, Capital City Lodge #9, are always willing to work with any entity to improve policing in the communities they protect and serve."
“A Department of Justice investigation is just the start,” said Hardin. “We need to continue advancing reform and rethink what safety means in this city.”
You can learn more about the Columbus Police Accountability Project here.