In September, 2009 The Fraternal Order of Police - Capital City Lodge #9 was advised of a patrol implementation plan that was being introduced by the Columbus Division of Police. This plan significantly and directly impacted the jobs/lives of more than 900 patrol officers and numerous non-patrol officers. The FOP reviewed this plan and determined that the implementation of this plan affected the terms of employment and contractual rights of those members. At that time, President Gilbert formed a “Patrol Committee” (comprised of patrol and non-patrol personnel) to do an in-depth review of the template plan. The Patrol Committee was tasked with working with the City of Columbus to develop a comprehensive plan that met the needs of both entities. After several months of discussions, The City decided to unilaterally implement their plan. The following reflects the FOP’s response to the issues raised by the City’s plan. (These responses are not all inclusive)

• The FOP has agreed with the City that the 14th and 18th Precincts should be split. The FOP has provided the City with a method to implement this process that complies with the FOP contract.
• The FOP has agreed with the City that certain “span of control” issues (Sergeant to Officer Ratio) need to be addressed. The FOP has provided the City with several options to address the concerns while protecting the contractual rights of FOP members.
• The FOP has raised concerns with the City’s proposal to abolish 1 Precinct (Short North Area). 1st Precinct officers have worked that area for many years to establish relationships within the community and to reduce the criminal element within 1 Precinct. These officers will now be forced to work a new unfamiliar area.
• The FOP has raised concerns with the new Zone concept which would result in abolishments in two other precincts (6th and 7th) to accommodate a precinct number change. The FOP Patrol Committee believes this is an unnecessary change to create job abolishments.
• The “Relief Group” concept contained within the City’s proposal would reduce the number of officers working on a precinct. These 14 officer relief groups will report only to a Zone and will be utilized to work in unfamiliar precincts. This unfamiliarity increases response time to critical calls - when time is of the essence.
• The City’s proposed plan widely disregards officer morale, community involvement, and the relationships that officers have built within their respective precincts.

The FOP is the voice of those officers working the in areas where you live. When your officers don’t have faith in a plan the City has attempted to implement, how can you? Our goals are to protect your neighborhood. When 92% of patrol officers are affected by this plan, the public also is affected. The FOP feels the City has not received adequate input from the public or from its patrol officers. Below we have attached a community flyer and included survey comments from the officers affected by the City’s plan. Click on either attachment to print the flyer or review officers’ comments. The time is NOW to stand up for your neighborhood!

Thank You For Your Support - FOP Capital City Lodge #9