When the Blue is Under Attack who Backs the Blue?

By Wane Hailes

Contrary to how the title reads, this is not me jumping on the “blue” bandwagon. Let me be perfectly clear: everybody in the “blue” is not for the Black and Brown community. I am supportive of what police officers do; however, I am not supportive of how some of the police officers behave. This is especially evident with the way officers of the local Fraternal Order of Police stood before the city council and totally disrespected the former Chief of Police, Freddie Blackman, who was only the second person of color to serve this community in that capacity. 

This is about our current Chief of Police, Stoney Mathis, who now stands before the city council proposing an ordinance amending Chapter 17 of the Columbus Code to revise certain provisions relating to the organizational structure and authorized positions for the Columbus Police Department and other purposes.

Let me “put it where the goats can get it,” as my mother would say, or as Denzel Washington said in the movie Philadelphia, let me “explain this to you like you are a 4-year-old”. The document that was presented is more than 60 pages long. I would bet good money that not one of the ten city council members has read the entire proposal. We know this to be possible from the recent meeting regarding Golden Park, where many councilors realized too late that they voted in favor of an expense without reading it.

If they had, then I’m surprised Councilor Judy Thomas isn’t screaming at the top of her lungs against this proposal. It was at a recent council meeting where all the law enforcement agencies in the county lauded her with flowers and a crown for her unwavering support over the years.

If she or any of the other council members had read the entire ordinance with comprehension as me, community leaders and several police officers who have approached us, they would share our concern. That concern is that Chief of Police Stoney Mathis is attempting to create a system that is going to ultimately be detrimental to our city.

First, under his proposal, he will eliminate the power of his two female Assistant Chiefs, relegating them to no more than glorified secretaries. This proposed action can be construed by some as misogynistic. Second, the Chief is proposing to eliminate the deputy chief position altogether and instead replace the position with three captains. It is alleged that he is doing this to keep from promoting a black female and a white male with 30 years of experience who are next in line for the position. Accordingly, the three captains will not be people of color.

There is a lot to unpack with this new proposal, but here is a piece that should be most troubling. Under the current structure, to be eligible for the position of assistant chief of police, a candidate must have held the permanent rank of captain for one year or the permanent rank of Lieutenant for two years in the Columbus Police Department. Under Mathis’ new proposed structure, to be eligible for the position of assistant chief of police, a candidate must have held the permanent rank of captain for one year or the permanent rank of Lieutenant for two years. 

He has eliminated that they must serve this time in the Columbus Police Department. These are appointed positions by him. This means if the city council approves these changes, he will be given the authority to hire outside of the Columbus Police Department, foregoing the officers who've been working here for 30 years with the expectation that one day they would be promoted.

Before approval of this proposed restructuring and the organizational chart he has presented, I would suggest that city council members reflect on the following questions

1. Does it provide or allow for equal access?
2. Does it allow for equity within the system that is supposed to protect our community?
3. Does it support and promote retention?
4. Does it encourage morale by allowing promotional opportunities?
5. And does it provide the best solution for our city?

If they are honest with themselves and truly support what is best for the Columbus Police Department and this community and not what is best for a Chief of police who may not be here two years from now, then the answer to all these questions should be a resounding NO!

If nothing else, it should put a pause on this request until city council members take the time to seriously consider the negative implications this will have on the department.