Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant will remain as chief for the next five years.
Mayor Andrew Ginther made the announcement Thursday afternoon at the King Arts Complex on the Near East Side.
Bryant was named chief in 2021. At the time, Ginther said the police division needed new direction and leadership.
"She had three priorities. Reduce violent crime, build officer morale and strengthen public trust in our division of police. She has made significant inroads in five years," Ginther said.
Ginther cited declining homicide and violent crime rates among the positive trends during Bryant's tenure as chief. He said that five years ago at this time Columbus had 73 homicides. So far this year, the city has had 21 homicides.
Bryant said she is proud of what Columbus police officers have accomplished in the past five years.
Bryant said she has spent time walking through neighborhoods listening to people's concerns about officers as she has tried to mend relationships between communities and police.
"Some of those conversations were difficult but necessary. I heard your concerns, your expectations and what changes you thought were needed," Bryant said.
Bryant also said that she listened to officers and asked what they needed to become more effective and to increase morale.
"What I found was a community that cares deeply about safety, transparency and police legitimacy," Bryant said.
"They need to know their leadership would be supportive through good times and bad," Bryant said.
Ginther also cited Bryant championing initiatives, such as the Crime Gun Intelligence Center, an interagency partnership with local, state and federal law enforcement that accelerates the analysis and tracing of guns used in crimes.
Ginther also cited the Non-Fatal Shooting Team, which Bryant launched to apply the investigative expertise and resources used in homicide investigations to non-fatal shootings. Ginther said the team helped increase the closure rate for these cases to 92% in pilot areas of Columbus, such as the Milo-Grogan and South Linden neighborhoods compared to 59% in other parts of the city.
In a statement, City Council President Shannon Hardin said he was excited that Bryant would be leading the division for another five years.
"She has guided the Division through a period of change, modernization, and innovation — expanding homicide and non-fatal shooting investigations, strengthening violence reduction and victim support partnerships, investing in new technology and forensic tools, and building stronger systems of accountability," Hardin said.
