One of Columbus' highest-ranking officers is off the street and off the command roster while the department digs into a deceptively simple question: did a deputy chief lie about parking tickets?
Deputy Chief Elrico Alli was placed on relieved-of-duty status on Feb. 20 after Assistant Chief Lashanna Potts filed a complaint that triggered an internal investigation into whether he misled a supervisor about tickets written by another officer. The move temporarily pulls one of Chief Elaine Bryant’s deputy chiefs out of command while professional standards investigators sort through the allegation.
Investigation and allegations
The Columbus Division of Police has confirmed the personnel action and says the case is now in the hands of internal investigators. A department spokesperson told reporters the division could not share more while the review is active, according to WOSU.
Police records reviewed by The Columbus Dispatch show Potts filed the complaint on Feb. 20 and placed Alli on "relieved of duty" status that same day. Investigators are now zeroing in on whether Alli was untruthful with an assistant chief about parking tickets issued by another officer, The Columbus Dispatch reported.
Background and context
Alli has been with the Columbus Division of Police since the early 2000s and joined Bryant’s upper command staff in 2023, when he was promoted to deputy chief, according to the City of Columbus. Coverage of that round of promotions and the broader leadership reshuffle that brought Alli into the deputy-chief ranks was also detailed by Police1.
The Fraternal Order of Police Capital City Lodge No. 9 says the current case is an administrative investigation, not a criminal one, and that the lodge has assigned an attorney to represent Alli. "Administrative investigations are a standard part of maintaining accountability and professionalism within the department, and every member deserves a fair and impartial review," the lodge said, as reported by Yahoo News.
What comes next
Internal affairs probes like this are handled inside the department and can result in anything from retraining or written reprimands to suspension or termination. They do not automatically lead to criminal charges. The division has already been under heightened scrutiny in recent years, following a U.S. Justice Department review that produced reform recommendations across the agency, and Potts has played a central role in carrying out parts of that work, according to WOSU.
The Columbus Dispatch reports it has requested Alli’s personnel file and any past disciplinary records, but those documents had not been released at the time of its reporting. Those public records, along with whatever professional standards ultimately finds, are expected to shape how the case is resolved.
For now, Alli remains off regular duty while the professional standards unit finishes its review. This story will be updated if the division releases records, files charges or imposes discipline.
