Police applicants are diverse group

The group of people who applied to become Columbus Division of Police officers and begin training in 2021 is the most diverse in the city’s history, according to information released by the city Wednesday.

While the overall number of people who signed up for the test decreased, the number of minority candidates increased by more than 3%, from 45.7% in 2019 to 49% this year.

The application period lasted through July, and those who take the civil service exam and complete additional steps successfully could start at the James G. Jackson Training Academy in June 2021.

Chief Thomas Quinlan said between the coronavirus pandemic and the protests and criticism against police in recent months, he was not sure how many people would apply — particularly those from diverse backgrounds.

“I was concerned people would be alienated, but we saw the exact opposite,” Quinlan said. “We saw people step up to be part of the solution and say they want to be a part of the change.”

A total 1,526 people applied to become police officers in July, according to the information released Wednesday. That’s down more than 400 from the 1,942 who applied in 2019 and down nearly 1,000 from the 2,514 applicants in 2017.

However, the number of Black applicants increased from 23% in 2019 to 25.7% in 2020. The number of female applicants declined year-overyear (from 323 in 2019 to 282 in 2020), but the percentage of applicants who were female rose from 16.6% in 2019 to 18.5% in 2020.

In 2017, Mayor Andrew J. Ginther had set a goal of doubling the diversity within the police department by 2027. Currently, about 11% of the division of police is Black, while the city’s population is about 28% Black.

Public Safety Director Ned Pettus Jr. said he thought the numbers were “fantastic” given the difficult recruiting environment that the last five months have brought.

“My eyes bugged,” Pettus said. “I was really glad to see it.”

More officers that reflect the community as a whole can only increase trust, which will lead to increased cooperation in investigations, more solved crimes and an overall reduction in violence, Pettus said.

Both Pettus and Quinlan credited the police cadet program, which began last year, with helping to build the diversity of the applicant pool.

Ashley Slane, 22, of the West Side, began the cadet program in 2019 after being a part of the police explorers program as a teenager. She said she has known she wanted to be a police officer for years.

Despite some hesitancy from her family because of the inherent dangers of the job, she is more determined than ever to become a member of the force.

“You can help someone from the very simple things to the worst-case scenario,” Slane said. “Officers want to generally help people and do good. We’re human, just like you.”

Slane said the unrest and criticism of police over the last several months have made her more excited to become an officer and make a difference. She has received a conditional offer to join the police academy for its December 2020 class. bbruner@dispatch.com @bethany_bruner