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Columbus police second-in-command investigated after duty gun left in public restroom
Read the full articleThe Columbus Inspector General opened an inquiry after First Assistant Chief LaShanna Potts left her duty weapon unattended in a state building restroom Nov. 3. The civilian oversight agency stated an inquiry determines policy compliance and is not a finding of wrongdoing.
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https://www.wosu.org/2026-11-06/columbus-police-second-in-command-left-her-gun-in-a-public-restroom
Supporting evidence (2)
Columbus Division of Police First Assistant Chief LaShanna Potts, Police Chief Elaine Bryant's second-in-command, left her gun unattended in a public restroom on Tuesday.
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Columbus Division of Police 1st Assistant Chief LaShanna Potts, Police Chief Elaine Bryant's second-in-command, left her gun unattended in a public restroom on Tuesday.
Columbus police did not state whether Potts faces any discipline, WOSU reported, while ABC 6 reported asking the inspector general whether disciplinary action may follow.
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CPD didn't say whether Potts currently faces any discipline.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/us/articles/columbus-police-no-2-left-140029838.html
Supporting evidence (8)
Columbus police confirmed that the firearm belonged to Potts after it was left in a women's restroom at the Ohio Department of Public Safety headquarters.
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The gun was determined to belong to 1st Assistant Chief LaShanna Potts, Albert said.
Columbus police confirmed that the firearm belonged to Potts after it was left in a women's restroom at the Ohio Department of Public Safety headquarters.
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A high-ranking police official left her gun unattended in the bathroom of the Ohio Department of Public Safety headquarters, Columbus police confirmed.
About 1:35 p.m. on Nov. 3, Ohio State Highway Patrol officers found the gun in a women's restroom at the Charles D. Shipley Building, 1970 W. Broad St.
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About 1:35 p.m. Nov. 3, the Ohio State Highway Patrol found a gun in a women's restroom in the Charles D. Shipley building, 1970 W Broad St., Columbus police spokesperson Sgt. Joe Albert said.
In an official statement, the highway patrol said it recovered the weapon from the first-floor women's restroom and returned it to Columbus police, adding that the building was not placed on lockdown because the owner was quickly identified.
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The Ohio State Highway Patrol said in a statement that it found the gun in the first floor women's restroom of the building and returned it to Columbus police. The highway patrol did not place the building on lockdown because the owner was quickly identified.
Potts subsequently returned to the Shipley building to retrieve her gun.
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Potts returned to the Shipley building to retrieve her gun.
Albert said the case was referred to municipal oversight, which investigates allegations of misconduct by Columbus police officers.
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Albert said the case has been referred to the city Department of the Inspector General, which investigates allegations of misconduct by Columbus police officers.
Albert did not respond to questions regarding whether Potts has been placed on leave or otherwise disciplined for the incident.
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Albert did not respond to questions about whether Potts has been placed on leave or otherwise disciplined for the incident.
Potts joined Columbus police in 2021 after serving as a captain for Detroit police.
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She joined the department in 2021 after serving as a captain for Detroit police.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/us/articles/columbus-inspector-general-investigates-police-003402755.html
Supporting evidence (6)
The facility serves as the state public safety headquarters.
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The building is the headquarters for the Ohio Department of Public Safety.
The Columbus Department of the Inspector General opened an investigation after a police duty firearm was found unattended in a women's restroom at the Charles D. Shipley Building on Tuesday.
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The Columbus Department of the Inspector General has opened an investigation after a police duty firearm was found unattended in a women's restroom at the Charles D. Shipley Building on Tuesday.
Following the incident, WBNS 10TV asked the inspector general whether a formal complaint had been filed or an investigation requested.
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Following the incident, 10TV's Lacey Crisp asked the Columbus Department of the Inspector General if a request was made to determine whether a formal complaint had been filed or an investigation requested regarding the incident.
In an official statement, the Department of the Inspector General confirmed it received a complaint and opened an investigation into the allegation.
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"The Department of the Inspector General (Columbus DIG) has received a complaint and opened an investigation into the allegation," the department said.
The oversight office emphasized that opening an inquiry determines whether actions violated department policy and that an investigation is not a finding or admission of wrongdoing.
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"Opening an investigation is not a finding or admission of wrongdoing," the statement said. "It is the process by which the Columbus DIG determines whether a sworn member's actions violated CPD policy."
The inspector general's office declined to comment further, citing its policy regarding active complaints and investigations.
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"Because the Columbus DIG does not comment on active complaints or investigations, we will not provide further comment at this time," the statement said.
Supporting evidence (1)
Columbus police did not state whether Potts faces any discipline, WOSU reported, while ABC 6 reported asking the inspector general whether disciplinary action may follow.
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ABC 6 has asked the Department of Inspector General for more details, including whether any disciplinary action may follow. The agency has not yet provided additional information.