Columbus police officers fired for unrelated misconduct

Lina Portman3 weeks ago

1 2 minutes read

The Columbus Division of Police recently fired two officers for administrative reasons, one who was caught on body camera appearing to use excessive force on a teenager and the other for having sex while on the job as a uniformed security guard after hours.

Donovan Bever, who joined the department in 2020, and Robert Spann, who joined the department in 2012, were both fired for misconduct, Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant said.

At the conclusion of an investigation into the officers, Bryant recommended a sanction of suspension or termination for each officer, department records show. Public Safety Director Kate Pishotti chose to fire them.

The department fired Spann on June 10 and Bever on June 12.

Why did the Columbus Police Department fire Officer Donovan Bever?

Bever's firing stemmed from a Feb. 19 confrontation with a group of teenagers who lingered in the street while crossing at a crosswalk near 11th Avenue East and Saint Clair Avenue in South Linden.

He and a fellow officer pulled up to the teens and said, “Let’s talk,” then got out of the vehicle and chased them as they ran.

Bever and the other officer drew their guns and told the teens to get on the ground or they would shoot. Bever forced a teen's head into the sidewalk, bloodying his nose, body camera footage shows.

In the video, Bever can be heard telling the teen: “You move, I'll beat the shit out of you.”

When he searched the teen's pockets, Bever threw the items he found in his face. Bever then dragged the man by his dreadlocks to a transport vehicle.

Bryant said the use of force was not appropriate because, after his initial escape, the teen cooperated with officers' commands. She also said Bever's language toward teenagers was not acceptable.

Bryant said Bever's behavior was not indicative of a cultural problem within the department.

Related coverage:Cops in handcuffs: Here are the central Ohio law enforcement officers charged with crimes in 2024

“I don't think it reflects the division as a whole, but when this is brought to our attention, we want to address it quickly and we want to make sure that we send the message that we will not stand for this for our community.” , Bryant said.

Bever was placed on leave and the department confiscated his gun and badge hours after the confrontation with the teen. An internal investigation followed. The other officer was disciplined for policy violations, including using foul language during the incident, but remains on the force. The department did not release his name Friday.

Bryant said Bever could still face criminal charges. An outside agency is currently investigating the use of force, but Bryant declined to name the agency.

According to Police Division records, Bever had a clean disciplinary record, but concerns had been raised about his language at work. Following a November 2021 arrest, his supervisor recommended documented counseling because Bever was “continuously swearing at” someone he took into custody.

Robert Spann fired for having sex with store employee

Spann engaged in a consensual sexual relationship with a grocery store employee in 2023 while working as an off-duty security guard in uniform. Bryant said officers are never allowed to have sex while on duty, including when they are in uniform off-duty.

Lina Portman

Related Articles

U.S. Sentencing Commission releases report on methamphetamine trafficking trends

Cambridge advises residents to call 911 in case of fire emergency

Sarim Burney seeks bail in 'human trafficking' case

2 teenagers under investigation for selling their organs to a doctor