In the wee hours last Saturday morning, Columbus Police discussed using deadly force against anti-police brutality demonstrators.
Columbus Police Lieutenant and SWAT Commander Paul Ohl wrote a summary to Deputy Chief D.C. Becker requesting expanded guidelines on the use of “deadly force” in Columbus on May 30, following four days of downtown area anti-police brutality demonstrations.
Ohl ended his report to Becker noting: “If a counter-sniper is required to stop that deadly threat, I would be glad to deploy those resources.” Ohl’s report revealed the presence of “six counter-snipers” who “occupy overwatch positions at HQ, Short North area, and Broad and Front areas.”
In Ohl’s assessment, the Columbus Police “Field forces” were too large and ineffective in controlling protesters. Ohl wrote: “There was a total lack of coordination with regard to operation.”
Ohl has worked for the Columbus Police since 1989. He suggested to Becker that, “Dispersal orders should be given three times after a plan for non-compliance is in place. If the orders are disregarded, as many arrests as possible should be made. There’s no substitute for decisive action.”
“Lastly, if Class A fireworks are used by rioters as weapons, that is dangerous Ordnance capable of causing physical harm or death to persons. Command should deliver a use of force guideline authorizing the use of deadly force on suspects deploying that dangerous Ordinance at crowds or officers.”
“If an incident commander or field force commander does not have the fortitude to step up and make that call they are in the wrong business,” Ohl wrote.
“SWAT had effective use of riot CS and tri-chamber grenades. SWAT also had effective use of 37mm high velocity multiple baton rounds,” Ohl reported. According to defense-technology.com, 37mm high on rounds contain five rubber projectiles utilizing black powder as the propellant, and “the close deployment ranges usually necessary for the appropriate transfer of energy in single subject acquisition would likely result in serious injury or death.”
Riot CS refers to tear gas. CS gas is toxic, and according to the New York Times, can be lethal to people suffering from asthma, pneumonia, or other pulmonary diseases. Reports surfaced recently on Instagram and Facebook about the death of a 22-year-old Columbus woman, who was gassed by the police at a downtown demonstration, and later was throwing up blood and had a seizure. The Free Press has not verified the cause of her death.
