Four commanders, mounted patrol unit among 100 Columbus police chosen for $200k buyout
Four commanders, nine lieutenants, 28 sergeants and 59 officers with the Columbus Division of Police have been selected by the city for a one-time, $200,000 retirement-incentive buyout.
Among the 100 personnel with more than 25 years of experience chosen from among 217 applicants for the buyout program is Cmdr. Robert Strausbaugh, who heads the Major Crimes Bureau that investigates homicides, cold cases, felony assaults, robberies and also includes the gun unit and task force officers, according to a list provided by the city Department of Public Safety.
Strausbaugh's bureau has borne the brunt of the city's battle against gun violence, dealing with two consecutive years of record-setting homicides, including 205 in 2021.
Retired police officer: 'Continuous carnage' in Columbus makes detectives' work grueling
The other three commanders selected include: Scott Hyland, who oversees police patrols west of the Scioto and Olentangy rivers; David B. Griffith, Jr., who heads the Professional Standards Bureau; and Terry L. Moore, who leads the Traffic Bureau, which includes the mounted patrol unit.
Is mounted patrol unit disbanding?
Six sergeants and officers in the mounted patrol unit also were selected for the buyout program, according to the city's list, which represents all or nearly every member of the unit.
The mounted horse unit has served as a popular Division of Police attraction at community events, and the officers interact with people or small groups with horses while on routine patrol.
But the mounted horse unit also came under criticism because of its use in crowd control during racial justice protests in 2020.
The Dispatch attempted to reach spokespeople for Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther, the city Department of Public Safety, and the Columbus Division of Police on Friday night for comment about the list and whether the city intends to disband the mounted patrol unit, but did not receive a response.
Mayor Andrew J. Ginther said when the buyout offer was announced in July that it was meant for officers who felt they no longer wanted to police in Columbus. In the wake of police shootings of Black residents, including Ma'Khia Bryant and Andre Hill, who was unarmed, and widespread allegations of police brutality, the city implemented measures to reform the division. Ginther said at the time that some officers might be resistant to change.
Experienced lieutenants from an array of units — SWAT, Basic Training, Community Service and Chief Elaine Bryant's office — were also awarded with buyouts. More personnel in drug crimes were selected than any other unit with 10 people, followed by nine court liaisons, the list indicates.
The city offered the buyouts as part of a new contract with Fraternal Order of Police Capital City Lodge No. 9, the union which represents city police.
Columbus police buyout: More than 40% of eligible officers applied
There were about 500 officers who were eligible to apply for the buyout, and 217 entered their names, according to a list the Columbus Division of Police provided in response to a request by The Dispatch.
Nearly 80 of those who applied for the buyout had 30 or more years of experience.
City officials have said those offered who accept the buyout will depart over a staggered period beginning in May.
awright1@dispatch.com
@aubreymwright
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus selects 100 police personnel for $200,000 retirement buyouts
