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 this first renewal, which spans from April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026, will be $350,000.00, due to BCI on or before April 1, 2025. Funding for the 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. Funding for the second planned renewal will be legislated separately and will be subject to City Council approval, certification of funds by the City Auditor, and the agreement of both parties. 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 $350,000.00 from the General Fund. Funding is available within the Department of Public Safety’s General Fund Budget for this purpose.
Emergency Designation: This ordinance is being submitted as an emergency me...
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