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Records Show Columbus Police Facing Multiple Civil Rights Complaints

Records reviewed by the Associated Press show the City of Columbus is facing more than two dozen civil rights complaints, nearly 20 years after the Justice Department settled its lawsuit against the city alleging police routinely violated citizens' civil rights. The Documents also show the city has paid more than 4 million dollars to settle lawsuits against police over the past decade. Local clergy and activists want more officers trained to deal with people with mental health issues and in ways to eliminate racial bias. Democratic Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther has scheduled a  news conference for later today to discuss public safety and community-police relations. Ginther also will discuss the city's homicide rate of 111, which is on track to break a previous record of 139. In September, Ginther told the Columbus Metropolitan Club there is no evidence of pervasive racism in the police division. One former officer's lawsuit disputes that claim.

Jim has been with WCBE since 1996. Before that he worked as a reporter at another Columbus radio station, and for three newspapers in Southwest Florida.
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