The Badge Must Be Bigger Than Politics

During a recent interview with local television station WTVM, something in the background of Columbus Assistant Police Chief Lance Deaton’s office caught my attention. Prominently displayed was a red hat bearing the words “Keep America Great.”

For some people, that may seem insignificant. It is just a hat, they might say. But when the office belongs to one of the highest-ranking law enforcement officers in our city — an assistant chief who could potentially be considered for future leadership of the Columbus Police Department — the question is not simply about a hat. The question is about what the badge represents.

Let me make something perfectly clear: Lance Deaton has the same constitutional rights as every other American. He has the right to vote. He has the right to hold political beliefs. He has the right to support the candidates and causes of his choosing within the boundaries of applicable law and policy.

That is not the issue. The issue is whether partisan political symbolism belongs prominently displayed in the professional office of a high-ranking police official. There is a difference between private political belief and public professional responsibility.

Columbus Consolidated Government’s own published political-activity provisions place restrictions on political involvement by government employees while specifically recognizing their right as citizens to privately express their opinions and cast their votes. That distinction matters.

When you put on a police uniform, the public should not have to wonder whether your politics will influence your policing. Republicans should trust you. Democrats should trust you. Independents should trust you. Black citizens should trust you. White citizens should trust you. Latino citizens should trust you. People who voted for Donald Trump should trust you — and people who voted against him should trust you just as much. The badge cannot have a political party.

The Columbus Police Department itself says its mission includes effective communication, transparency and strengthening the community it serves, and that it is committed to maintaining community partnerships that promote confidence and trust. That trust is precious. And trust is not only affected by what government officials do. Sometimes it is affected by what citizens perceive when they walk into an office, watch an interview or interact with someone who possesses the authority to detain, arrest and use force.

That is why appearances matter in law enforcement. A citizen should never have to look at a political symbol in the office of a senior police official and wonder: Does this officer see me differently because I don't share his politics? Will I receive the same treatment? Will my complaint be taken as seriously? Will the law be applied to me in exactly the same way?

Perhaps the answer to every one of those questions is yes. Nothing about a hat, by itself, establishes that Assistant Chief Deaton has treated anyone unfairly or allowed politics to influence his duties. But public confidence in policing requires more than actual impartiality. It requires the appearance of impartiality. That becomes especially important when discussing someone who may someday seek or be considered for the position of police chief.

The next chief of the Columbus Police Department will inherit a community with different races, religions, neighborhoods, economic circumstances and, yes, political beliefs. That chief must be capable of walking into every part of Columbus and convincing people that the department belongs to all of them. Not red Columbus. Not blue Columbus. Columbus.

This is bigger than Donald Trump. It would concern me if a high-ranking police official prominently displayed campaign material supporting a Democratic presidential candidate in an official office as well. Because the principle must remain the same regardless of whose name, slogan or political movement is represented.

We cannot demand political neutrality only when the politics displayed are politics with which we disagree. That would make us hypocrites. There is an appropriate place for personal political expression. There is an appropriate place for campaign signs, political hats and partisan loyalties. But I question whether the official office of one of the highest-ranking law enforcement officers in Columbus is that place.

Police officers carry enormous authority. With that authority comes an equally enormous responsibility to demonstrate — not merely say — that the law will be enforced without fear, favor or political consideration. So perhaps the question we should be asking Assistant Chief Lance Deaton is not, “Who do you support politically?” Frankly, that is his business. The more important question is: “Can every citizen who walks through your door — regardless of race, neighborhood or political affiliation — look at you, look at that badge and know beyond question that you are there to serve them equally?”

Because whoever becomes the next chief of the Columbus Police Department must understand something fundamental: You may have personal politics. You may have personal opinions. You may even have a favorite candidate. But when you represent the Columbus Police Department, the badge must be bigger than your politics.