Explanation
BACKGROUND: In November 2020, an issue was placed on the ballot to amend the City Charter to establish a Civilian Police Review Board and a Department of the Inspector General for the Columbus Division of Police. On November 3, 2020, voters overwhelmingly approved the amendment by nearly 75 percent.
In April 2021, Mayor Ginther appointed, with Columbus City Council’s concurrence, the inaugural members of the Columbus Civilian Police Review Board. The members were granted authority to develop administrative rules; receive, initiate, review, and cause the investigation of complaints of misconduct; make recommendations on resolutions of complaints; make recommendations on discipline; and in specific circumstances, to subpoena witnesses and evidence.
In early February 2022, the Civilian Police Review Board approved, and Mayor Ginther confirmed, the hiring of Columbus’s first Inspector General. Between March 2022 and July 2022, the Inspector General will be hiring personnel, creating policies and procedures, and forming an organizational structure for the Department of the Inspector General, which is scheduled to begin receiving and reviewing complaints July 11, 2022.
Columbus City Code §235.02(C) grants the Civilian Police Review Board the authority to promulgate rules and regulations in accordance with Columbus City Code §121.05 to carry out its duties as provided for in the Charter and in Columbus City Code Chapter 235. And, Columbus City Code §235.03 directs the Civilian Police Review Board to receive, initiate, review, and, if appropriate, to direct the Inspector General to investigate and prepare a report for review, complaints alleging misconduct and/or excessive use of force by sworn personnel of the Columbus Division of Police.
The Rules and Regulations Committee of the Civilian Police Review Board conducted several meetings to formulate procedural rules for the Board related to its interactions with the Department of the Inspector General. Pr...
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