Columbus Police officer Holly Kanode was found not guilty Thursday of two misdemeanor charges tied to her role during the George Floyd protests in 2020, according to court records.
Kanode was charged with dereliction of duty and falsification during an arrest on May 30, 2020.
Two other officers, Traci M. Shaw and Phillip Walls, face charges for their roles during the protest. They include misdemeanor assault, dereliction of duty and interfering with protesters' civil rights.
Last month, Columbus City Council passed new limits on how police officers can use force against peaceful protesters. Officers will also have to display officers’ names on their riot gear under changes being made to city law.
The changes come two years after police faced criticism for responding to demonstrations against racial injustice and police brutality by using physical violence, tear gas and pepper spray against protestors without provocation.
Those confrontations already prompted a $5.75 million settlement and more limits on police tactics to disperse peaceful demonstrators.
