Brian Steel, President of the Fraternal Order of Police Capitol City Lodge No. 9
Hey folks, it's Norm and Brett from the Common Sense Ohio podcast. We just wrapped up another engaging episode, and we wanted to share some highlights and thoughts with you.
First off, we had an in-depth discussion about the current state of law enforcement in Ohio, specifically Columbus. It's no secret that violent crime is on the rise and the community feels the heat. We dove into the impact of the population surge on crime rates, and there’s a societal angle to it that mirrors the complexities within our education system.
One major point of concern was the absence of fathers in communities of color and its correlation with juvenile crime. Our guest, Brian Steel, President of the Fraternal Order of Police Capitol City Lodge No. 9, emphasized the pressing need for societal support to keep families intact. He highlighted how the lack of strong parental figures tends to push urban youth towards harmful lifestyles, such as an unhealthy obsession with firearms.
We also touched on the challenges around policing policies and the role of law enforcement officers. A point of contention was the pursuit policy for minor offenses like a taillight violation. It's the small things that often signal larger issues, and it's crucial for officers to have the authority to address them effectively.
Security at large events like Red, White, and Boom and the notorious Arnold Classic were talked about. We discussed the complex logistics of managing security for massive crowds and the real concern of human trafficking during such events. Columbus's human trafficking task force is doing commendable work, but there's still much to be done.
We got into the topic of police accountability and the protection of officers through qualified immunity. We shared our thoughts on how it's essential to differentiate between mistakes of the heart and mind. When officers make errors, it’s crucial to handle these situations fairly and transparently.
Last but not least, we need to address the elephant in the room: recruiting and retaining police officers. The profession faces significant challenges, from public perception to the rigors of the job itself. Despite financial incentives like increased salaries, the call to serve must come from the heart.
As always, we aim to spark those tough but necessary discussions. Special thanks to Stephen Walter for joining us and sharing his invaluable insights.
Stephen Palmer is the Managing Partner for the law firm, Palmer Legal Defense. He has specialized almost exclusively in criminal defense for over 26 years. Steve is also a partner in Criminal Defense Consultants, a firm focused wholly on helping criminal defense attorneys design winning strategies for their clients.
Norm Murdock is an automobile racing driver and owner of a high-performance and restoration car parts company. He earned undergraduate degrees in literature and journalism and graduated with a Juris Doctor from the University of Cincinnati College of Law in 1985. He worked in the IT industry for two years before launching a career in government relations in Columbus, Ohio. Norm has assisted clients in the Transportation, Education, Healthcare, and Public Infrastructure sectors.
Brett Johnson is an award-winning podcast consultant and small business owner for nearly 10 years, leaving a long career in radio. He is passionate about helping small businesses tell their story through podcasts, and he believes podcasting is a great opportunity for different voices to speak and be heard.
Recorded at the 511 Studios, in the Brewery District in downtown Columbus, OH.
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