As Adrienne Hood told the Free Press, “People really haven’t been paying much attention” to what is arguably one of Columbus’s most important leadership decisions in decades. The choice of Jacqueline Hendricks-Moore for first-ever Inspector General of the Civilian Police Review Board, which Columbus voters overwhelmingly approved for in November of 2020.

“I will say that I hope she has the boldness to stand up when necessary because that will make or break this whole review board and further damage the relationship with the community,” said Ms. Hood to the Free Press.

The Civilian Police Review Board or CPRB essentially has this main responsibility: To serve as a standing administrative jury hearing cases investigated by the Inspector General, which will be independent of the Department of Public Safety.

As for when the Inspector General will begin conducting investigations, those close to the situation predict this spring or early summer.

Jacqueline Hendricks-Moore, as the Mayor’s Office stated in a press release, is a retired police sergeant with over 34 years of experience in criminal justice, law enforcement, and policy development. She holds a Master of Public Administration from Central Michigan State and is currently a Senior Investigator for the City of Detroit’s Office of Inspector General.

“Hendricks-Moore has a proven track record in leading investigations, rooting out corruption, and auditing and overhauling key operating procedures like the City of Detroit’s ‘Stop and Frisk’ policy,” stated the Mayor’s Office.

“I am honored to be appointed Columbus’ first Inspector General,” said Hendricks-Moore in the same press release. “I know the importance of trust between the community and police and will work hard in my role to help restore that trust through thorough, impartial investigations and the call for accountability when the evidence points to wrongdoing.”

Ms. Hood had little choice in becoming one of Columbus’s advocates for greater accountability and transparency of the Columbus Division of Police after her son, 23-year-old Henry Green, was walking home in his South Linden neighborhood in 2016 when he was aggressively approached by two Columbus police officers not in uniform and brandishing guns, and who had suddenly showed up in an unmarked SUV rental car with Florida plates. An SUV which did not have an installed dashcam. Nor were the officers wearing body cameras. They were in the area to provide surveillance during the City’s so-called “summer safety initiative.” The officers claimed Green shot at them first and so they returned fire. Green was shot seven times.

The two officers were never criminally charged or were they removed from the Division. In November of 2021 a federal judge declared a mistrial of the two officers who were facing a wrongful death lawsuit for the death of Green.

“I do feel that the person should have investigatory history yet I’m on the fence as far as being a police officer. The pro to that is they would recognize the language of a cover-up potentially,” said Ms. Hood, a retired Army and Air Force Reserve Sergeant. “However, to that same point they could move to continue the cover-up because they recognize what it is as well. It would be nice to know the outcomes of the policies and investigations she has a part in, especially from Detroit.”

The search and hiring process for the Inspector General did not come without controversy. For instance, during the last six months Janet Jackson – the chair for the Civilian Police Review Board – took actions to reduce the number of public meetings and taken steps to keep the public physically out of the six meetings of the full CPRB that were actually open meetings to the public. 

Jackson, in many ways, has a pro-police background which has led her to chairing the CPRB. Jackson spent four years working for the Ohio Attorney General’s office in the 1980s before serving nearly a decade as a Franklin County Municipal Court judge, the first African American female judge in Franklin County history. Jackon’s prominence continued, becoming the first woman and African American to be elected Columbus City Attorney (1997 to 2003).

Ms. Hood continues to hold out hope her son’s and other’s legacies convinces the Columbus Division of Police to evolve into a law enforcement agency the law-abiding community deems fit.

“At this point it’s wait and see, because we’re all familiar with the players, and more and more articles are coming out about the backroom, backdoor meetings (regarding the Inspector General selection). We definitely have to be vigilant because if they can slide something by, they certainly will,” said Ms. Hood referring to City of Columbus leadership.

JacquelineHendricks-Moore will begin her new role with the City of Columbus on March 8, 2022.