[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 11, 2022
CONTACT: Madeline Stocker (860) 808-7857
madeline.stocker@yeswecancolumbus.org
RELEASE: CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATE JASMINE AYRES CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE REMOVAL OF OFFICER ROSEN
After an officer responsible for the murder of Henry Green was caught stomping the head of a handcuffed Black man on camera, communities across Columbus called for the officer’s immediate termination from the Columbus Police Department.
“I stand with the community and the families that have suffered at the hands of overzealous and abusive police officers,” City Council candidate Jasmine Ayres said in a statement Tuesday morning. “Officer Zachary Rosen does not deserve to wear the badge and both Mayor Ginther and the city of Columbus should stand on the side of the people demanding his removal from the police force.”
Ayres went on to say that, while Columbus has proven to be an “Opportunity City” for many neighborhoods, violent policing tactics in low income neighborhoods are signs that there is far more work to be done in under-invested cities.
“Columbus is truly a tale of two cities,” Ayres said. “This proves now more than ever that we need new leadership. It is the responsibility of city government to represent the citizens of Columbus. They passed the budget using taxpayer dollars to keep this officer employed.”
Representatives for the family of Henry Green have been expressing concern about Officer Rosen’s record for some time, citing a history of abuse including:
- In August 2014, Officer Rosen was accused of putting a gun to the head of a 15-year-old during an investigative stop.
- In June 2015, Officer Rosen was found by the Columbus Police Department’s Internal Affairs Bureau to have retaliated against a citizen. Rosen admitted that his actions served to “escalate the situation,” and it was found that Officer Rosen “did not use good discretion” and “did not exhibit proper conduct and self-control.”
- In June 2016, witnesses stated that Officer Rosen continued to fire at Henry while he lay on the ground, emptying his clip in what they described as “overkill.” It was later revealed that Officer Rosen fired his weapon fifteen times in killing Henry, a 23-year-old Black man.
Records of police misconduct are inaccessible to the general public, and without the leadership and advocacy of Henry Green’s family, we would know even less. “These are examples of several internal complaints regarding truthfulness, use of force and retaliation that have troubled the family for months since Henry’s death,” Ayres said.
“It is understandable that the Chief of Police and the Fraternal Order of Police are siding with the officer, but it is unfathomable that the people who are charged with representing the citizens of Columbus are standing with Officer Rosen instead of those they represent,” Ayres continued.
###
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]