Mayor Ginther Announces Appointments to Civilian Police Review Board

Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther has announced his appointments to the city’s first Civilian Police Review Board.

In November, residents overwhelmingly approved the creation of a Civilian Police Review Board and Inspector General for the Division of Police. A workgroup in December outlined recommendations for the board’s composition, roles and powers.

The city reportedly reviewed more than 200 applications for seats on the board and brought in community members to help conduct more than 20 in-depth interviews with finalists.

The Board will appoint the first Inspector General for the Columbus Division of Police, who will eventually be supported by professional staff to conduct independent investigations into police misconduct as the Department of the Inspector General. Both bodies are subject to negotiation with the Fraternal Order of Police.

Nine individuals have been appointed to the board:

• Mark Fluharty, Executive Director of Central Ohio Labor Council
• Dr. Chenelle Jones, Assistant Dean and Chair of Public Safety Programs, Franklin University, and member of the Columbus Community Safety Advisory Commission
• Willard McIntosh, retired Columbus Division of Police officer
• Pastor Rich Nathan, Vineyard Columbus
• Kyle Strickland, attorney, The Ohio State University Roosevelt Institute
• Randall Sistrunk, Director of Business Development, Orange Barrel Media, and member of Chief’s Advisory Panel
• Rev. Charles Tatum, the Good Shepherd Baptist Church
• Mary Younger, former Franklin County Public Defender
• Janet Jackson, former city attorney and Franklin County municipal judge, and chair of the Community Safety Advisory Commission

Mayor Ginther asked Jackson to serve as chair of the board. Jackson will help establish the framework for how the board will function and work with board members to lead a search for an Inspector General.

“The overarching goal of the Board is to help restore trust in police by providing transparent investigations and holding officers who have done wrong accountable,” said Jackson in a statement. “Resident votes in favor of the Board last November spoke volumes.  And we — just like the Division of Police — are here to serve them.”

The appointments will be advanced Columbus City Council for approval.