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Nov 10, 2026 | Commentary The Potts Investigation Is a Waste of Taxpayer Resources
Columbus Police First Assistant Chief LaShanna Potts is under review for leaving her weapon unattended in a government building restroom. With no crime committed, no harm done, and immediate resolution, continuing this investigation wastes valuable taxpayer money and distracts from real city priorities.
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Investing time and public funds into investigating First Assistant Chief LaShanna Potts over an unattended firearm is a waste of taxpayer resources.
The facts of the situation are simple Potts briefly left her city-issued weapon in a restroom at the Ohio Department of Public Safety headquarters. It was found, retrieved, and resolved immediately. No crime was committed, no one was harmed, and there was never a threat to the public inside the secure facility.
Yet, the situation has been escalated to the Department of the Inspector General for a formal review.
Fixating on a single, harmless mistake is petty and unnecessary. Potts is an exemplary leader with a proven record of serving the City of Columbus. Taking focus away from major public safety issues happening on the streets to police a non-criminal workplace oversight makes no practical sense.
NEWS327: Felix Maurent | Investigators and city officials need to step back, drop this unnecessary inquiry, and let a dedicated leader get back to doing her job.
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