Fraternal Order of Police

The suit was filed by the family of Donovan Lewis, a Black man who was shot and killed by a Columbus police officer. The case alleges systemic racism in the police department. Brian Steel, president of the Fraternal Order of Police Capital City Lodge 9, is weighing in regarding the suit.

Whitehall Police Chief Mike Crispen said in an email to WOSU that FOP President Brian Steel sent emails to non-union members intended to harass, intimidate or abuse.

Fraternal Order of Police Capital City Lodge #9 President Brian Steel thinks Franklin County prosecutors may have mishandled a prior criminal case involving Daveonte Dixon. Dixon pleaded guilty in 2024 to multiple felony charges, but was only given community control. Dixon allegedly shot and injured two police officers during a traffic stop Wednesday evening.

Officer Enrique Ortega will be allowed to retire from the Whitehall Division of Police in good standing. He now works at the Mifflin Township Police Department.

The Whitehall Division of Police and the regional police union have been fighting ever since the department fired a union grievance officer in July who conducted a survey that was critical of Whitehall's police chief.

The latest info found on the dark web includes a database from the Columbus City Attorney's Office called the matrix crime database includes every incident report and arrest record written by officers.

A survey conducted by a since-fired FOP member criticized the workplace environment and practices at the Whitehall Division of Police.

Former Columbus FOP President Jeff Simpson resigned amid an investigation into comments he made on his social media page about lynching.

FOP President Jeff Simpson commented on a social media post defending a Jason Aldean song and said about lynching, "[B]ack in the day, that was the penalty you got for doing really bad things. Today you get nothing."

The Fraternal Order of Police Tuesday morning commended the approval of its new contract that was passed by Columbus City Council Monday night.