Why a change of leadership is needed at CPD
During Tuesday’s City Council meeting, I presented the results of the Columbus Police Department (CPD) evaluation. Overall, the “Leadership for the Immediate Future: A Strategy for Transformative Policing” report has been received very well.
There’s a number of recommendations for improvement that will ultimately increase the safety of our entire community. However, concerns have been expressed regarding the report’s call for a change of leadership at the CPD.
Repeatedly, those interviewed for the report said the chief of police is a good person, but “he is not an effective leader who has been as responsive as needed regarding keeping our citizenry safe.”
I strongly concur that Chief Lewis is a good person with strong values and belief system.
It is very important citizens recognize the difference between being a “good” person and a person who is an effective leader, which is a critical need for the Columbus Police Department and the safety of its citizens.
I would like to further point out that there is absolutely no pleasure in recommending a change in leadership of the CPD. My recommendation is based on data analysis and interviews of numerous current and former police officers; law enforcement officers from other jurisdictions; Columbus citizens representing all walks of life; elected officials; city department heads and others.
In making the recommendation regarding leadership change, there were other issues that heavily influenced my recommendation: my love and concern for the safety of my native City of Columbus, its 25,000 citizens and the men and women of the CPD.
Unfortunately, there are still days that this entire city is staffed with as few as four patrol officers. The brave and dedicated officers are working everyday under some extraordinary circumstances to protect each person in Columbus. It is unfortunate that the staffing numbers were allowed to become so dangerously low to a point which possibly endangered residents.
Based on findings, there was no aggressive plan articulated to recruit and retain officers to remedy these low levels of protection. Instead officers continued to leave the CPD and therefore, the city leadership had a duty to address the police officers exodus which had reached crisis level.
The good news is that we are rebounding. The city should be excited that the 12 new recruits will complete their required state academy training on Aug. 10. We (all) must support these new officers to increase their chances for success.
Whatever decision the city council makes regarding implementation of the CPD’s evaluation recommendations, we must as a community continue to support one another and the men and women in blue.
K.B. Turner
Memphis, Tennessee
Turner, a Memphis-based law enforcement expert and consultant, has just concluded a six-month long analysis of the Columbus Police Department. The text of the report can be found at http://www.cdispatch.com/files/rogvo81201785321PM.pdf
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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