More than a Dozen Apply For Vacant Seat On Civilian Police Review Board
There is no shortage of candidates vying to fill a vacancy on the Columbus Civilian Police Review Board.
As of October 4, Nate Simon, the Executive Asst. with the Office of Inspector General for Police, told The Sussi Report that 18 people have applied to fill the Board seat of Aaron Thomas, who resigned on August 31.
Thomas, who works at the Ohio State College of Medicine, said, "I no longer feel hopeful in the work of the Board to bring forth change in our community that keeps our fellow citizens alive."
Thomas refers to the August 20 officer-involved shooting in which Columbus Division of Police officer Ricky Anderson fatally shot 20-year-old Donovan Lewis while Anderson and other officers went to Lewis' Hilltop apartment to arrest him on charges of domestic violence, assault and improperly handling of a firearm.
These people applied to join the 11-member Board.
Kim Boggs, Timothy O'Brien, LoLitta Snow, Matthew Hudnall, Demi Beckford, David Henderson, Ryland Ward, Jason Foster, Leslie McGee, Ophelia Arnold, L'Ouverture Jones Jr., Hank Graham, Sara Andrews, Elizabeth Edgington, Dan Kester, Amy Hinebaugh, Lisa Chaffee, Orville Sharp, Carolyn Harper-Munnerlyn, Brittney Williams, J. Corey Bable, George Pallas, Gabe Burke, and Laurie Phillips.
The Sussi Report looked through the list but didn't see any names of interest. Perhaps some of their names will catch your eye.
The mayor's office has the responsibility of selecting Board members.
As of October 5, the Office of Inspector General has received 377 complaints accusing Columbus Division of Police officers of police misconduct, excessive use of force, and other infractions. Simon said none of the complaints had been turned over to the Board for review.
"No complaints have been filed with the Civilian Police Review Board, and the Board has not vetted, made any recommendations on, or sent any reports to the Columbus Division of Police as of now," Simon explained.
If you have a tip, you can leave me a message at 614 779-1885 or drop me an email at tom@thesussireport.com. And you can be anonymous!
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