Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the Director of Public Safety to renew a grant agreement with the Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation (“BCI”), State of Ohio, to fund the provision of independent, professional, unbiased and prompt investigations following Critical Incidents. The agreement authorizes funding to help offset the significant costs necessary to perform Critical Incident Investigations. The agreement was originally authorized by Ordinance 2991-2024, passed November 18, 2024. Funding for the first renewal, which spanned from April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026, was for $350,000.00 and was authorized by Ordinance 0655-2025, passed March 24, 2025. Funding for this second optional renewal, which spans from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027, will be $495,000.00, due to BCI on or before April 1, 2026. The agreement will not automatically renew.
For the purposes of the agreement, a Critical Incident is defined as an incident where sworn personnel of the law enforcement agency (City of Columbus, Division of Police) discharge a firearm that results in physical harm to any person, or are involved in a use of force resulting in life-threatening injury or death that occurs as a result of persons being taken into custody, while in custody, or while being detained by sworn personnel. Critical incident does not include the shooting of an animal, training accidents, vehicle accidents, discharge of a firearm where no injuries occur, or incidents occurring at any correctional or detention facility
FISCAL IMPACT: This ordinance authorizes the expenditure of $495,000.00 from the General Fund. Funding is available within the Department of Public Safety’s 2026 General Fund Budget for this purpose.
Emergency Designation: This ordinance is being submitted as an emergency measure in order to allow for payment of the outstanding invoice by the due date of April 1, 2026.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Public Sa...
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