Columbus Police chief announces action to terminate Officer Adam Coy
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX/WTTE) — Columbus Police Chief Thomas Quinlan announced Thursday that he has filed two departmental charges alleging critical misconduct against Officer Adam Coy and is recommending he be terminated.
Coy shot and killed Andre' Hill early Tuesday morning while responding to a non-emergency call. Hill was unarmed.
Body-cam video released by the City of Columbus revealed Coy did not turn his body-worn camera on until after the shooting and did not render aid to Hill.
On Wednesday, Mayor Andrew Ginther called for Coy's termination.
"Today is Christmas Eve. A time when we should be gathering with those we love. The family of Andre Hill has nothing to celebrate this holiday. Someone very important won’t be with them this holiday, or any other. A Columbus Police Officer is responsible for that. And that breaks my heart. This is why today I am announcing action to terminate Officer Adam Coy," Quinlan said.
Quinlan said after an expedited investigation, he has sustained the two departmental charges.
Coy will be served a notice of the charges Thursday and Quinlan's recommendations will go to Director of Public Safety Ned Pettus, Jr.
That hearing will take place Monday morning. Following the hearing, Pettus will rule on Quinlan's recommendation.
Quinlan said the process of departmentally charging an officer typically includes a hearing before the Chief of Police before a determination of wrongdoing, or any discipline. In this case, Quinlan said he has bypassed that step.
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"Like all of you, I witnessed his critical misconduct firsthand via his body-worn camera," Quinlan said. "I have seen everything I need to see to reach the conclusion that Officer Coy must be terminated, immediately. Some may call this a rush to judgment. It is not. We have an officer who violated his oath to comply with the rules and policies of the Columbus Division of Police. And the consequences of that violation are so great, it requires immediate action. This violation cost an innocent man his life."
Quinlan said there are two administrative investigations underway. The first is related to Coy's unreasonable use of deadly force, failure to activate his body camera and failure to render aid to Hill.
The second pertains to the additional officers involved in the incident who either failed to active their body cameras or failed to render aid.
"Any other officers found to have violated policy will be held accountable," Quinlan said.
Quinlan said he has taken these steps in consultation with the Columbus City Attorney's Office.
"I am a father and grandfather. I cannot fathom the pain Andre Hill’s family is feeling right now. He was taken from them by violence. Preventable violence. Senseless violence. This didn’t have to happen, and it never should have. Andre Hill should be with his family this holiday. I ask this community to wrap their arms around his family, and join me in praying for their comfort," Quinlan said.
