A Columbus police officer fired for downloading police body camera footage for his YouTube channel without filing a public records request has been reinstated.
An independent arbitrator reinstated Columbus Police Officer Spencer Badger after he was fired in March for violating police department policy. Badger posted the footage on his YouTube page, "Columbus Police Body Camera."
Both of Badger's YouTube channels make heavy use of police body camera footage. The videos are of traffic stops, police shootings and other incidents where Columbus-area police officers responded.
Badger acknowledged that he violated department policy, but he and the Fraternal Order of Police Capital City Lodge fought against the investigation and the city's decision to fire him.
Under the decision to reinstate him, Badger will receive full back pay.
Columbus Department of Public Safety spokesperson Glenn McEntyre said in a statement the department disagrees with the decision, but respects the process and will proceed accordingly.
FOP President Brian Steel praised the decision in a statement on Tuesday.
"This decision reaffirms that accountability applies both ways, to labor and management," Steel said. "I supported and fought for Officer Badger every step of the way, and this outcome shows the importance of fairness and due process."
Steel said the union will continue to fight to protect collective bargaining rights to ensure fairness in disciplinary processes.
