COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — Mayor Andrew Ginther today announced the extension of Police Chief Elaine Bryant’s contract to an additional five years.
This second 5-year term includes a 10 percent pay raise, marking her salary $296,836.80 per year, according to the Assistant Director of the Department of Public Safety Glenn McEntyre.
In June 2021 Bryant was first appointed and began her first five-year term, the first police chief from outside the Division of Police, according to a news release from Mayor Ginther’s office.
Chief Bryant is also the first Black woman to lead the Division. She assumed leadership during one of the most challenging periods in the Division’s history, according to the Mayor’s office, with three clear priorities: reducing violent crime, improving officer morale, and strengthening police-community relations.
City Council President Shannon Hardin shared the following comment: “I’m excited that Chief Elaine Bryant will continue leading the Columbus Division of Police for another five years. She has guided the Division through a period of change, modernization, and innovation — expanding homicide and non-fatal shooting investigations, strengthening violence reduction and victim support partnerships, investing in new technology and forensic tools, and building stronger systems of accountability. I am excited to partner with her leadership for years to come.â€
The Columbus Police Department shared the update in a news conference, available in the player below and streamed live at 3 p.m. Thursday.
Mayor Andrew Ginther attended to speak about Bryant, as did City Attorney Zach Klein.
“Today, we get to look forward to 5 more years,” Ginther spoke on behalf of the city about Police Chief Bryant.
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Klein shared that he believes Chief Bryant is the United States’ best police chief.
