Westside Messenger - October 3rd, 2021

PAGE 8 - WESTSIDE MESSENGER - October 3, 2021
Safety Focus
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) accepted the city
of Columbus’ invitation to review the Columbus Division of
Police and provide assistance through its Community
Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Office. This is the first
time in the city’s history that the DOJ has been involved
with the city under its COPS Office.
“This is an important day for the future of policing in
Columbus,” said Mayor Andrew Ginther. “This is not about
one particular officer, policy or incident; rather,
this is about reforming the entire institution of
policing in Columbus. I am confident in the partnership
and the additional tools the DOJ’s COPS
Office will bring to our city.”
“We ask our officers to constantly train to be better,
to strive for the next level of skill and excellence.
This is no different,” said Police Chief Elaine
Bryant. “Our work is too important, the stakes are
too high, for us to ever be satisfied with the status
quo.”
The areas identified by Bryant as potential focus
www.columbusmessenger.com
New safety director aims to build more community trust
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Columbus Mayor Andrew J. Ginther announced the
appointment of Robert Clark as the director of public safety
effective on Sep. 26.
“Director Clark will bring both a fresh perspective and
a wealth of experience to public safety,” said Ginther. “He
has 35 years of local, federal and international law enforcement
experience — including in the Los Angeles Field
Office of the FBI. He has a proven track record in community
service collaborations and brings strategic, data-driven
results.”
A former Youngstown, Ohio, police officer, Clark spent
much of his career working with the U.S. Department of
Justice FBI Los Angeles Field Office as an assistant special
agent in charge. He led more than 350 agents and task
force officers from 10 agencies focused on disrupting gangs,
drug cartels and violent crime. He also collaborated with
community leaders to build a youth outreach and intervention
program to mentor young people living and going to
school in neighborhoods plagued by crime. Most recently,
Clark was the senior superintendent for the Trinidad and
Tobago Police Service, helping to build infrastructure,
upgrade policies and develop strategies to combat violent
crime and improve community relations.
“I got my start in public safety in Ohio and I am thrilled
to be returning,” said Clark. “I am grateful to Mayor
Ginther for the opportunity to serve in this position at such
an important time for our city. I
look forward to working with Police
Chief Elaine Bryant and Fire Chief
Jeffrey Happ to advance changes,
build community trust and keep
Columbus neighborhoods safe.”
Clark is a doctoral candidate in
organizational leadership and
social justice at Adler University in
Chicago.
Robert Clark
Department of Justice to review Columbus Division of Police
opportunities include policy reviews and evaluation, officer
and leadership training, recruitment, technology and
establishing an early intervention system for officers.
“This partnership has great potential to improve our
community’s policing practices,” said City Attorney Zach
Klein. “The resources and expertise of the DOJ will provide
ways to improve the division of police, while supporting
officers and giving them the tools to increase public
safety for all Columbus residents, which is our ultimate
goal.”
The COPS Office is the federal component of the DOJ
responsible for advancing community policing nationwide.
For decades, COPS has been providing assistance and
resources to reduce crime and build trust between law
enforcement and communities.
The engagement with the city begins immediately.
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Photos courtesy of the Prairie Township Firefighters Association
Gaining valuable experience
On Sept. 25, firefighters with Prairie Township conducted a training fire at the home on Tamara Avenue.
The firefighters had assistance from crews in Columbus, Jefferson and Pleasant townships, and Pleasant
Valley Joint Fire District. Firefighters said they gained valuable experience from the training exercise.