A meeting between the leader of the Fraternal Order of Police union that represents most Columbus-area law enforcement and the Franklin County prosecutor — sparked by concerns about those convicted of violent crimes avoiding prison — was productive.
Brian Steel, president of the FOP Capital City Lodge No. 9, said the meeting this week with county Prosecutor Shayla Favor was “very positive” and both sides agreed to maintain open communication.
Favor’s office provided a statement reiterating that the meeting was productive.
“Both Prosecutor Favor and FOP President Steel reaffirmed their shared commitment to deepening their partnership in the pursuit of a shared purpose: to protect, serve, and deliver justice for the residents of Franklin County,” Favor’s office said.
Favor’s office said she had reached out to the police union to arrange a meeting on May 23, however, that meeting was not able to take place until after two Mifflin Township police officers were shot on May 28.
Following that shooting, Steel made public comments and sent an open letter criticizing how lenient prosecutors and judges have been when handling cases involving repeat offenders, such as 21-year-old Daveonte Dixon, the man accused of shooting the two Mifflin Township officers.
At the time of the shooting, Dixon was on community control, sometimes called probation.
“I don’t know what is more disturbing,” Steel said the day after the shooting, “that Daveonte Dixon tried to kill two police officers, or that Franklin County courts allowed this violent felon to be released back on the streets on so-called community control.”
In April 2024, Franklin County Common Pleas Court Judge Kim Brown sentenced Dixon to three years of community control with a reserved 11 to 16½ year prison sentence if Dixon violated the conditions of his release, court records show.
Dixon had pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary, a first-degree felony, as well as possession of a dangerous ordinance and having weapons while under disability, or possessing a firearm after a previous felony conviction.
Brown said she was unable to comment on the case because of judicial ethical guidelines.
The sentence was part of a jointly recommended plea deal by prosecutors and Dixon’s attorney. The deal was made under Prosecutor Gary Tyack, who left office in January and was replaced by Favor.
Steel said Dixon’s case was the “straw that broke the camel’s back for the community” in how criminal cases have been handled. The current law in Ohio allows a judge to sentence someone convicted of possessing a firearm after a previous conviction to anywhere from probation to three years in prison.
“We want prosecutors to prosecute the strict gun laws we have on the books now,” Steel said. “Those who have blatant violations of law, we need to lock them up.”
Favor said she and her office are currently evaluating the process to make decisions about plea agreements to make sure there is “greater clarity, consistency and support for prosecutorial discretion” with proper oversight.
“At present, there is no formal, documented policy outlining final approval authority for plea offers or deals. Line prosecutors have discretion in handling their cases, as they are closest to the facts and have the most direct knowledge of the strengths, weaknesses and nuances involved,” Favor’s office said. “Plea offers, particularly in serious or sensitive cases, are often made in consultation with unit supervisors or senior leadership to ensure consistency, accountability and alignment with office priorities.”
Steel said he and Favor also discussed how fatal police shootings would be handled. Three Franklin County law enforcement officers are awaiting trial on murder charges for on-duty shootings, and a fourth was convicted in November but has not yet been sentenced.
Tyack used special prosecutors in all of those cases. Favor has since replaced those prosecutors with her staff in one case. Steel said he felt the conversation he had with Favor about how the prosecution of police officers will be handled was positive. He said he also asked Favor to support police officers who are hurt and publicly denounce the actions of people who try to hurt officers.
“I want to see them come out hard,” Steel said. “I want to see them standing shoulder to shoulder with us. If you murder someone, if you have a gun and are a repeat offender, we are going to put you in prison.”
Steel said he recognizes that some people may be able to be rehabilitated without going to prison, but added that he thinks repeat offenders who have continued to show violent tendencies are beyond rehabilitation.
Favor’s 2024 campaign for prosecutor, as well as statements she has made since taking office, have advocated for rehabilitation for offenders while also holding violent offenders accountable and getting justice for crime victims.
This story has been updated to clarify the timing of the meeting.
Reporter Bethany Bruner can be reached at bbruner@gannett.com or on Bluesky at @bethanybruner.dispatch.com.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: FOP president says prosecutor meeting ‘positive’ over concerns about violent criminals
Reporting by Bethany Bruner, Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
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