Columbus dirty

I am flat out angry. The allegations are disturbing and represent a complete breach of trust. Agents say Merino found a willing accomplice in Kotchkoski, who they claim tried to help his fellow cop traffic fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opiate, to West Virginia.

The selfish actions of these officers jeopardized the safety of their fellow officers and the community. We will hold these officers accountable, check the abuse of power and remain steadfast in our work to reform policing in Columbus.

Instead, Merino in January greenlighted a plan for the dealer to use his own cash to buy the narcotics, and then sell the drug to reimburse himself and turn a profit, according to the FBI agent. They met again on Jan. In another meeting that allegedly occurred on Jan. But FBI agents allegedly found another way to tape the conversation, which described a new plot by Merino to use the informant to buy more cocaine from his supplier. In exchange, the informant would keep selling narcotics for the cop, the FBI claimed.

Merino planned to launder their proceeds by converting cash into Mexican AirBnB rental properties , an idea he got from classes offered by the US Drug Enforcement Agency, according to the filing. American Airlines records showed that Merino visited Mexico three months later, according to the affidavit.

But the FBI said no drugs were ever shipped. Merino allegedly told him he not only would protect narcotics shipments across Columbus and outside Ohio, but would use law enforcement databases to keep him informed about potential police probes. Twelve days later, Merino allegedly gave the informant a fentanyl sample that weighed On Aug.

And on Aug. During an Aug. On Sept. Even the most-hyped changes, such as the new civilian review board, are years behind cities who have managed to figure it out already.

More: Editorial: Low-yield investigation of misconduct was an expensive way to prove police union has too much power. He could also produce for them any of the countless other reviews that have shown the long history of patterns and practices of unconstitutional policing and unlawful behavior running rampant within Columbus police. Claiming that the issues they were dealing with were with racial profiling and not fatal shootings, Coleman not only ignores the interplay between racial profiling and fatal shootings, but he also misleading simplifies the deep-rooted systemic and cultural issues confronting the Columbus police and more importantly, Columbus citizens who will be impacted as a result of the issues city leaders continue to attempt to sweep under the rug.

Twenty-five years after the Department of Justice initiated the investigation into the Columbus police that led to the federal lawsuit, the division has a reputation that is, finally, receiving that national scrutiny it deserves.

Backed by city leadership that has bargained away all managerial rights through their collective bargaining agreement with the Fraternal Order of Police, Columbus police officers have been able to use force with impunity and violate constitutional rights of citizens without any fear of accountability. The Department of Justice investigation could and should lead to a major restructuring of the Columbus police. Columbus civil rights attorney Sean Walton Jr. His clients have included family members of people killed by police and police officers who have themselves experienced discrimination.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Opinion: 'Safe' pick for Columbus' next chief would keep city's 'dirty little secret' safely hidden. Sean Walton Jr. Florida Gov. DeSantis recruits unvaccinated officers with cash bonuses. US Special Operations Command wants to transform its biggest planes to gain an advantage against China.