The city council’s decision to hire Oscar Lewis III as the new chief of police removed Interim Chief Fred Shelton — a 32-year veteran with the department — from consideration for the Columbus Police Department’s top spot.
The council appointed Shelton to the interim post in November, shortly after former chief Tony Carleton resigned in the wake of the police-involved shooting death of Columbus resident Ricky Ball in October. State officials continue to investigate Ball’s death.
Shelton said he was “somewhat disappointed” in the decision after Lewis’ hire was announced.
“I will always place the mission first and do my job to protect and service this community,” Shelton said, declining further comment.
Both Ward 2 Councilman Joseph Mickens and Columbus Mayor Robert Smith said Shelton deserves recognition for the work he’s put in for CPD.
Smith said conducting a search for a new assistant chief will be up to Lewis, but said he hopes Shelton gets a look.
“I don’t have a say-so, but I would hope, under the circumstances where we are now, I would hope the new chief would look closely as far as hiring from within as far as the assistant chief,” Smith said. “That’s just my opinion. I think with the situation we’re in now, with what’s going on concerning the (Ricky Ball incident), we need somebody in the department that really knows what’s going on out there in the community and is very familiar with this case.”
Mickens, likewise, said the council should consider further steps for Shelton.
“I’m definitely going to be talking to the mayor and council about Captain Shelton to see what we can do,” Mickens said. “The captain — we see him as being a vital part of the community. We see him as playing a vital role in the community with Chief Lewis. We just want him to stay. We don’t want him to go anywhere. We have plans for the captain. We have a plan.”
The council raised Shelton’s annual salary from $53,560 to $63,560 when it named him interim chief in November.
Under Shelton’s watch, CPD instituted multiple policy updates, many aimed at strengthening the department’s body camera usage and footage storage procedures. Shelton also gave the nod for the creation of a newly implemented citizen’s oversight committee, which will offer civilian input on CPD policy.
Alex Holloway was formerly a reporter with The Dispatch.
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