Calls for Peace and Reconciliation

Posted on 1/14/2021

Defendant:

I wanted to take the opportunity to clarify a few items reported by the media. I want to acknowledge that law enforcement provides an important service to our community. I appreciate the work performed by law enforcement officers. My comments were directed toward those individuals who are in law enforcement and not performing their duties based on the oath they took, and those are few and far between. We are living in unprecedented times. From a global pandemic, to an economic crisis, to civil unrest, our society is experiencing collective trauma on multiple levels. Factors such as these lead to stress levels becoming unbearable for many in our communities. These challenging times are surely part of the increase in homicides we witnessed in the City of Columbus in 2020, as well as the numerous lives that were lost in the first days of 2021.

Reducing gun violence and other crime is not something that the Franklin County Prosecutor’s office can do alone, nor is it something that is taken lightly by this office. We must work in a collaborative manner with the Franklin County Sheriff’s office, Columbus Division of Police, the municipal police departments across the county, and all other law enforcement agencies. We must also work in partnership with our community organizations, clergy leaders, community organizers, activists, and residents in general to find innovative solutions to bring these numbers down. This is the top priority of the prosecutor’s office for 2021.

We are starting off 2021 with a deeply divided community, just as we have a deeply divided nation. There is mistrust between many of our residents and law enforcement, and it is critical we all work together to find a path forward through reconciliation. Reconciliation is often a painful process that can be very uncomfortable for all parties involved. However, it is the only path forward to healing.

We heard calls for justice louder than ever last summer in the aftermath of the deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbury, Breonna Taylor, and others. In order to work through that process of reconciliation, we must heed those calls for justice across the country and assure our communities – especially our communities of color – that thorough, transparent, and fair investigations will be conducted into such matters, and that any potential prosecution will also be fair and balanced. We must also reiterate to our law enforcement officers that they are supported in their duties to serve and protect the public, as well as remind them of our gratitude for their service and sacrifices, as well as those of their families.

I took an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Ohio, and is dedicated to fairness and balance in all matters that will come through the office. The law will be followed regardless of a defendant’s race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, or occupation. This office also echoes the calls for peace in our communities and across our country. The safety of our law enforcement officers and other first responders as well as the safety of our residents is of utmost importance. We cannot ignore cries for justice, nor can we let our law enforcement officers believe they’re not supported. Our only path forward is together.

Regards,

​G. Gary Tyack