Hundreds apply for seat on CPD Citizen Review Board

Courtesy of NBC 4
By NBC 4 Staff
January 20, 2021

COLUMBUS (WCMH) – More than 200 people have applied to be a part of the Citizen Review Board that will oversee the Columbus Police Department.

Mayor Andrew Ginther announced plans to create the board following last summer’s community-wide protests over the use of force by police officers.

Protest in downtown Columbus broken up after demonstrators breach Ohio Statehouse
The first step was to develop a Work Group to make recommendations regarding the structure of the Review Board. The Work Group is made up of 16 community leaders from such organizations as the Columbus Urban League, the Columbus Bar Association, and Stonewall Columbus.

How a civilian review board for Columbus Police will operate
The work group recommended that the Review Board consist of nine voting members, all volunteers, who would serve staggered terms of a maximum of three years and two terms.

Some 206 people applied for one of the nine seats by the Jan. 15, 2021, deadline.

Creation of the Review Board appeared on the Nov. 3, 2020, ballot as Issue 2, and was overwhelmingly approved by voters.

Citizen review board for Columbus Police on track to pass
Mayor Ginther and City Council members will choose the nine members who will serve on the Review Board.