Explanation
BACKGROUND:
The purpose of this ordinance is to appropriate $150,000.00 to the Department of Public Safety, on behalf of the Division of Police, for purchase of uniform accessories necessary to facilitate display of officer names and badge numbers.
Following the 2020 protests in reaction to the murder of George Floyd, as well as the subsequent investigations into police conduct, the Division of Police, Mayor Ginther, and Columbus City Council placed a priority on the ability to identify officers during protest or riot duty. This ordinance will assist in that effort by providing additional funding to the Division of Police for uniform accessories that will allow officers to affix their names and badge numbers to any necessary uniform. Efforts to reimagine public safety in Columbus include the ability to allow future investigations to hold the proper individuals accountable, while also protecting police officers from misidentification in criminal, civil, and administrative cases. With these and other initiatives, Council continues to work with City partners to modernize law enforcement and improve our accountability and response to the residents of Columbus.
This ordinance will appropriate $150,000.00 within the Reimagine Safety subfund, and authorize the transfer, appropriation, and expenditure within the general fund.
FISCAL IMPACT: Total appropriation is $150,000.00 and is available in the 2022 budget within the Reimagine Safety subfund, Fund 1000-100019.
EMERGENCY DESIGNATION: Emergency action is requested in order to immediately provide funding for the outfitting of police officers for the safety, health, and welfare of the residents of Columbus.
Title
To authorize the appropriation of $150,000.00 in the Reimagine Safety subfund to the Department of Public Safety, on behalf of the Columbus Division of Police, for the purchase of uniform accessories necessary to facilitate display of officer names and badge numbers; to authorize a transfer and appropriation of funds; to authorize an expenditure of $150,000.00 within the general fund; and to declare an emergency. ($150,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, since the protests surrounding the murder of George Floyd in Summer 2020, as well as increases in violent crime, City Council has worked with Mayor Ginther, the Department of Public Safety, and the Columbus Division of Police on reimagining public safety in the City of Columbus; and
WHEREAS, Council and the administration have introduced several new programs and policies to modernize police functions and decrease violence; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance provides funding to facilitate the display of officer names and badge numbers on any necessary uniform; and
WHEREAS, funding is available in the Reimagine Safety subfund for this purpose; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Safety, on behalf of the Division of Police, such that it is immediately necessary to provide funding so that the Division may have additional funding to outfit officers, thereby preserving the public peace, property, health, safety, and welfare; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1: That $150,000.00 is hereby appropriated within Fund 1000-100019 Reimagine Safety subfund per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 2. That the Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to appropriate $150,000.00 to the Department of Public Safety, Division of Police within the Reimagine Safety fund in object class 10-Transfers, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to transfer $150,000.00 from the Reimagine Safety subfund, fund 1000, subfund 100019, to the general fund, fund 1000, subfund 100010, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That the Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to appropriate $150,000.00 to the Department of Public Safety, Division of Police within the general fund, fund 1000, subfund 100010, in 02-Supplies per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 5: That for reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.