A Ride-Along with CPD: Seeing Our Officers in Action

Getting ready to start a shift with CPD Officer Christian Walker

On Saturday, August 9, I had the privilege of joining Columbus Police Officer Christian Walker for a ride-along. His shift began at 2:30 p.m., and from the moment we left the station, we hit the ground running, responding to about ten calls before the night was over.

What struck me most was the level of professionalism, empathy, and calm our officers display, even under pressure. Whether it was offering help, defusing a tense situation, or, when necessary, making an arrest, Officer Walker and his colleagues treated everyone with dignity and respect. That night, we made two trips to the jail and one to the hospital.

One sobering reality became clear: nearly half of our calls that day were related to mental health crises. At Columbus Regional Hospital, I learned that their mental health unit, 17 beds in total, is consistently at full capacity. Unfortunately, this wasn’t an unusual night. It’s a reflection of a larger community-wide challenge we must continue to address.

Our CPD officers work tirelessly to serve and protect Columbus, often in difficult circumstances. They deserve both our gratitude and our support. As your city councilman, I remain committed to backing our police and working toward solutions that keep Columbus safe while also meeting the needs of our residents.

So, the next time you see one of our CPD officers rushing to a call, know that they’re out there working hard to keep you...and me...safe.