COLUMBUS, Ohio — Last month, four Columbus Division of Police deputy chiefs, with over 100 years of experience collectively, accepted buyouts from the city.
On Friday, the city officially promoted four new leaders as deputy chief as well as more than two dozen other leaders.
Last year, The city offered a buyout of $200,000 to 100 commanders on down to leave the division. At the time, Mayor Andrew Ginther said the program was to make room for new leadership.
“The folks who got promoted today are going to be influencing the division for a generation. It's really exciting to see,” said newly sworn-in Deputy Chief Tim Myers.
Friday, 32 members were promoted to sergeant, lieutenant, commander and deputy chief.
“This is so exciting times for the department and give an opportunity to infuse some new leadership. We are very excited about what's to come,” said Chief Elaine Bryant.
The city currently has about 150 fewer sworn members than it is authorized to have on the division.
“We didn't promote the level that we are down, we promoted to what we need to be able to run the department officially,” explained Chief Bryant.
“I'm probably more happy about the people who got promoted with me at the executive level,” Myers said.
At 36, Myers was sworn in as the youngest deputy chief in the division's history, beating out fellow new deputy chief, Nick Konves by one year.
“There's a lot of pressure to that because if I'm successful in shepherding change and leading officers, then it is great. If I'm not, It will be pointed out as a negative. No pressure,” Myers said.
Myers recently returned from serving overseas as a judge advocate in the army.
He is a board member of the Starfish Assignment and will oversee the patrol south subdivision.
He said he is excited for the new challenge in leadership.
“A ton of opportunity for us to make some progress, make sure we are on the right track to innovate and see if there's a better way we can serve the community,” Myers said.