COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — Columbus City Council is looking to beef up security, specifically for council members.
The Council says this has been in the works for about a year, and that Columbus Police added officers to the executive security unit. Those officers would be present during meetings, public appearances, and more.
The Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) says things still need to be negotiated.
Elected officials, they do go out in public and right now its a troubling time in America, and our city is no stranger to that,” says Brian Steele, FOP executive president.
FOP says protecting Columbus government officials is a priority, but figuring out additional staffing for a department that’s already thin can be tricky.
The way we look at it is, how do you fill those jobs?” Steel said.
Steel says CPD is a seniority based department, which means that’s how jobs are filled.
Lets say, hypothetically, the chief wants to hand-pick someone — that’s something they’re going to have to go through FOP for if they do not do that. There are different things that labor union does to file grievance on that,” Steel explained.
Columbus City Council says this has been in the works for about a year.
In a statement to ABC 6 / FOX 28 Sunday night, a spokesperson said the division of police added officers to the executive security unit to cover the council. Saying, in part:
This unit will enhance member and public attendees’ security at council meetings, hearings, external town halls, parades, festivals and other public events.”
There is a lot of anti government protests, anti police protests protestors come down to city hall who have defaced city hall before. I think we’re just trying to see law and order is being re-established in our city and this is one step further to protect those individuals,” Steel added.
The union describes the safety unit as “officers in plain clothes or in a uniform.”
Steel says any time a proposal is brought to FOP, they take it seriously.
In 2023 security is on everyone’s mind, safety is on everyone’s mind,” Steel added.
It wasn’t clear how many officers would be allotted, or what the cost would be.
