Dem lawmakers provide statement on the removal of Columbus Police Chief Quinlan

COLUMBUS— Assistant Minority Leader Rep. Kristin Boggs (D-Columbus), Rep. Erica C. Crawley (D-Columbus) and Rep. Dontavius Jarells (D-Columbus) today issued statements regarding the removal of Columbus Police Chief Thomas Quinlan on Thursday at the recommendation of Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther, following two recent police-involved shooting deaths of Black men in Columbus.

“Over the past year, we have seen injustices overwhelmingly affect Black and Brown Columbus residents,” said Assistant Minority Leader Boggs. “After the deaths of Casey Goodson Jr. and Andre Hill, we must reevaluate our police department and recognize the need for change. With this new change in leadership of the Columbus Police Department, my hope is that the new police chief will create real accountability and transparency in policing. There is much work to be done to ensure that Columbus police are meeting the needs of the city and are being held to the high standard that their job requires.”  

“Casey Goodson, Jr. and Andre Hill join a long list of Black and Brown men who have died at the hands of law enforcement. With Columbus Police Department (CPD) being directly involved with the death of Andre Hill, as well as providing oversight to the investigation of Casey Goodson, Jr.’s death, it is more apparent that we need to root out the pervasive racism and ideological problems that exist in CPD in order to prioritize the safety of our communities,” said Rep. Crawley. “This leadership transition is an opportunity to change the culture - starting by searching for a chief not currently within CPD. I hope in the next search for a police chief, Columbus Police Department will look at bringing in an outsider with an objective perspective about what needs to change.”

“After the deaths of Andre Hill and Casey Goodson, Jr., it is clear that Columbus needs a police chief who will confront systemic racism and biases within policing,” said Rep. Jarrells. “I am hopeful that Mayor Ginther will successfully execute the search of a new police chief; someone who will make bold strides to implement greatly needed police reform in our city.”