COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — As Columbus leaders look for ways to close a $15 million budget gap, new scrutiny is falling on the overtime costs tied to the police unit responsible for protecting the city’s top officials.
The Columbus administration said this month it is sitting down with both police and fire to address what it called massive amounts of overtime so far this year. The city said Columbus Fire has already spent 98% of its overtime budget, while Columbus Police has spent 75%.
One area drawing attention is the Columbus Police Executive Protection Unit, which provides security for Mayor Andrew Ginther, Police Chief Elaine Bryant and, more recently, Columbus City Council…