Brown Welcomes Justice Department Decision to Evaluate Columbus Division of Police

Source: United States Senator for Ohio Sherrod Brown

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) applauded the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) decision to evaluate the operations of the Columbus Division of Police originally requested by Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther and City Attorney Zach Klein. Brown wrote to DOJ in April supporting their request.

“I have been troubled by the many instances of police misconduct and excessive use of force that we have seen in Columbus in recent years,” Brown said. “I’m encouraged that the Department of Justice will be evaluating the operations of the Columbus Division of Police and look forward to their recommendation on a set of policies and practices that will improve safety and build trust with the communities they serve, particularly communities of color.”

Brown has been a leader in the fight for police reform.

Brown helped introduce the United States Commission on Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation resolution last year, urging Congress to form the first commission acknowledging and examining the systemic racism that has disenfranchised Black Americans throughout U.S. history and the racial inequities that persist today.

Brown also helped introduce the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act last year, a comprehensive package that would help put important policing reforms into place, help end racial profiling in the criminal justice system and work to improve police-community relations. The package includes Brown’s End Racial and Religious Profiling Act, to better enforce equal protection laws and work to end racial profiling in the criminal justice system.   

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