COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Columbus Division of Police will swear in Chief Elaine Bryant and Assistant Chief LaShanna Potts Tuesday afternoon at the Columbus Police Training Academy.
Mayor Andrew Ginther’s office released a statement Tuesday, saying both received their OPOTA (Ohio Police Officer Training Academy) certification, the final hurdle of the process.
The ceremony will take place at 6 p.m. Afterward, the city will hold “A View from the Blue” community forum at 7 p.m., which will be co-hosted by the Columbus Division of Police and the Alpha Sigma Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. The discussion “is intended to build an understanding and connection between law enforcement and the communities they serve,” according to Ginther’s office.
Panelists include Bryant, Ohio State Highway Patrol Superintendent Richard Fambro, and Ohio State University Police Chief Kimberly Speers-McNatt.
Columbus named Bryant the new police chief and Potts the assistant police chief in June 2021, becoming the first Black woman to take over the position. Bryant previously served with the Detroit Police Department, serving in different positions there since 2000. Potts also came from Detroit, where she served as captain.
