‘Our community and department are in crisis.’ Police union doesn’t support chief Freddie Blackmon
The president of Columbus’ police union clashed with Mayor Skip Henderson and City Manager Isaiah Hugley over chief Freddie Blackmon’s leadership of the city’s police department.
Ralph Dowe, a Columbus police lieutenant and president of the local chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police, shared results of a survey showing nearly all union members had no confidence in Blackmon’s ability to lead the department.
Blackmon declined to speak with a Ledger-Enquirer reporter after the council meeting.
“Our community and department are in crisis,” Dowe said. “(Mayor), you’ve been very well aware and briefed on some of the issues in the police department, and you have chosen not to act on those. The body of the (union) has been silenced.”
Union leadership received responses from 219 officers, which represents about 70% of the city’s police force and 95% of the union. Dowe said 99% of those who responded felt the department was not staffed to provide residents with the proper level of service or to back up other officers.
Just under 99% felt the department was more reactive than proactive under the current leadership, and 93% said that communication with the chief’s department was not good.
Only 5% of the respondents said they had confidence that Blackmon could manage the department in a manner that provides for officer safety, the fair treatment of officers and reduces crime, Dowe said.
Henderson and Hugley offered defenses of Blackmon that saw roughly half of the council audience give Hugley a standing ovation.
Hugley and Henderson alleged Dowe has personal issues with Blackmon. Hugley cited reports and rumors that Dowe was upset that he was passed over for departmental promotions. Dowe recently filed a complaint against the city and the police department, but he declined to discuss it with the Ledger-Enquirer in an interview.
Hugley ended his comments by expressing his disappointment in the union and showing a presentation of historic Black Columbus law enforcement officers.
“Chief Blackmon ... I want you to know that I stand with you,” Hugley said. “I’ve been with the city of Columbus for 37 years. ...I have never witnessed such treatment of a police chief in my 37 years. Never have I seen a police chief disrespected in the way chief Freddie Blackmon has been disrespected tonight.”
In an interview with the Ledger-Enquirer after the meeting, Dowe did not outright say that he wanted Blackmon removed from his post. However, the 33-year veteran said the department lacked good leadership. Dowe added that he has no personal issues with Blackmon.
“We want good leadership at the police department, whatever the case that may be,” Dowe said. “We don’t have it ... right now, and that’s what we want.
Henderson nominated Blackmon as police chief in October 2020 to replace Ricky Boren. Blackmon is a Columbus native with more than 35 years of experience in law enforcement. He started as a patrol officer in 1986 before rising through the ranks as a sergeant, lieutenant, and captain before he was promoted to major in 2014.
Blackmon’s tenure has been defined by officer shortages and a surge in violence in 2021.
Columbus recorded a record-breaking 70 homicides last year. Human Resources Director Reather Hollowell told council members during Tuesday’s meeting that the police department had 130 vacancies.
In 2021, 74 police officers resigned — the most in a 12-year period dating back to 2009. The department hired 37 officers in 2021, the fewest in that time period, according to city data.
This story was originally published February 22, 2022 at 9:33 PM.