History was made Wednesday as Mayor Andrew J. Ginther formally introduced Elaine Bryant as the next Columbus police chief  — the first Black woman and the first external candidate to ever hold the position. "She understands that it’s not just about enforcement, it’s about empathy and engagement," Ginther said. "She’s shown throughout her tenure in Detroit a willingness to change culture and take on tough challenges." Bryant, 48, a deputy police chief in Detroit, was selected from a pool of 34 initial applicants and eventually four finalists. "Our first order of business needs to be trust," Bryant said, speaking of both the trust she has to earn within the division and the trust from the community. "Without trust and cooperation, we can’t do anything. We have a lot of work to do, and I emphasize the word 'we.' No one person can make these changes." 

History was made Wednesday as Mayor Andrew J. Ginther formally introduced Elaine Bryant as the next Columbus police&nbsp;chief&nbsp; &mdash;&nbsp;the first Black woman and the first external candidate to ever hold the position.&nbsp;"She understands that it&rsquo;s not just about enforcement, it&rsquo;s about empathy and engagement," Ginther said. "She&rsquo;s shown throughout her tenure in Detroit a willingness to change culture and take on tough challenges."&nbsp;Bryant, 48, a deputy police chief in Detroit, was selected from a pool of 34 initial applicants and eventually four finalists.&nbsp;"Our first order of business needs to be trust," Bryant said, speaking of both the trust she&nbsp;has to&nbsp;earn within the division and the trust from the community. "Without trust and cooperation, we can&rsquo;t do anything. We have a lot of work to do, and I emphasize the word 'we.' No one person can make these changes."&nbsp;

News Briefs from the Columbus Dispatch - Columbus Ohio

News Briefs from the Columbus Dispatch - Columbus Ohio

Columbus News Briefs - Columbus Dispatch

News Briefs from the Columbus Dispatch - Columbus Ohio.

News Briefs from the Columbus Dispatch - Columbus Ohio.

Columbus - Elaine Bryant officially introduced by Mayor Ginther as new Columbus police chief