Leaders Urge Police-NAACP Feud Cool Down

Columbus officials and community advocates are trying to pull down the temperature in a widening public fight between the city’s police union and the local NAACP after the criminal case over Casey Goodson Jr.’s killing. The dispute flared after Fraternal Order of Police Capital City Lodge No. 9 President Brian Steel used the phrase “poverty pimp” for civil-rights lawyer Sean Walton, who is president of the Columbus NAACP, after former Franklin County deputy Jason Meade was convicted on May 7 of reckless homicide. Steel has defended the remark, while Walton has pushed back publicly and, according to local reporting, rejected a private sit-down. The exchange has drawn petitions, criticism from community leaders and a public distancing by Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant. ### What set off the latest round of fighting? Jason Meade’s May 7 conviction set off the latest clash. Meade, a former Franklin County deputy, was convicted of reckless homicide in the 2020 death of Casey Goodson Jr.; a murder charge ended in a mistrial, and his sentencing is scheduled for June 16. Brian Steel made his comments immediately after that verdict. (nbc4i.com) NBC4 and ABC6 reported that Steel said, “One person gained out of this,” then called Walton “the poverty pimp that got $7 million from the city,” a reference to Walton’s legal work for the Goodson family. Sean Walton answered that the community’s call for accountability “is not an attack on police” and said officers and residents “do stand together,” according to NBC4. (nbc4i.com) The back-and-forth then moved beyond the courtroom and into a broader argument over who speaks for police-community relations in Columbus. ### Why did city and community leaders step in? Columbus leaders stepped in as the argument spilled into public safety and community trust. (nbc4i.com) USA Today reported on May 16 that local leaders were calling for peace as Steel doubled down on his remark and Walton rejected a private meeting. Malissa Thomas-St. Clair, founder of Mothers of Murdered Columbus Children, said on May 15 that the public fight risked undoing work between police and residents ahead of the summer. (nbc4i.com) She said, “I don’t want to see the awesome strides we’ve made with bridging the gap between community and law enforcement go to the wayside,” and warned that division during racial tension “will breed more violence.” (usatoday.com) Chief Elaine Bryant also drew a line between the police division and the union president. NBC4 reported Bryant said, “He does not speak for the Columbus Division of Police,” and added that she intended to continue relationships with community members and advocates. ### What are the petitions trying to do? An online petition launched after Steel’s remarks seeks his removal as FOP president. (nbc4i.com) NBC4 reported the petition had more than 3,300 signatures by May 11 and called the comments “inflammatory and unprofessional,” while also asking for an apology to Walton and Columbus residents. A separate petition backs Steel. ABC6 reported supporters described him as a public servant with a 25-year law-enforcement career, a Marine Corps background and ties to organizations including the NAACP and ACLU. (nbc4i.com) Steel said he would remain in the job unless union members decide otherwise. In a statement to NBC4, he said he serves “at the pleasure of the FOP union members” who elected him and would continue to advocate for law enforcement as long as they keep that trust. (nbc4i.com) ### Why is this bigger than one insult? Columbus’ police union and civil-rights advocates were already arguing over policing, accountability and public messaging before this exchange. (abc6onyourside.com) Search results from The Columbus Dispatch show Steel and Walton had traded public criticism in recent weeks over the Meade case, police shootings and how each side was framing those events. (nbc4i.com) Mayor Andrew Ginther’s May 14 decision to give Bryant a second five-year term underscored how closely city officials are tying police leadership to public trust. In announcing the extension, Ginther said Bryant had focused on reducing violent crime, building officer morale and strengthening public trust in the division. ### What comes next? June 16 is the next firm date in the case that reignited the feud. (dispatch.com) Meade is scheduled to be sentenced that day in Franklin County after his reckless-homicide conviction in Goodson’s death. This summer is also the next test for whether the public dispute cools. Thomas-St. Clair told NBC4 she expects quarterly meetings with police leaders to continue and said community groups also plan to build relationships with other municipalities in the coming months. (columbus.gov) (nbc4i.com) (nbc4i.com)