CNAW REPORT: The pieces that led to the fall of Police Chief Freddie Blackmon
This week, Freddie Blackmon resigned and retired after nearly 3 years as chief of police of Columbus, and 37 years of law enforcement work in the community he calls home.
CNAW2NEWS.com has been there since day one of Blackmon’s journey as chief of the violent city.
Ricky Boren retired in 2020 as chief of police. Mayor Skip Henderson, after searching for the top cop position, chose Freddie Blackmon. Blackmon had worked his way through the ranks within the CPD from patrol officer to Major. Blackmon oversaw the Office of Professional Standards for seven years, where he conducted Internal Affairs investigations of all officer-involved shootings and employee misconduct; oversaw the department’s national reaccreditation and state recertification process; and directed criminal intelligence/crime analysis operations to identify crime trends and provide intelligence-led policing data.
Within Blackmon’s tenure as chief, there have been so many issues, one of which was violent crime increasing on the streets.
Violent crime skyrocketed to groundbreaking numbers in 2021, with 71 homicides and 181 shooting victims. In 2022, the number of homicides decreased to 44 but the number of shooting victims went up to 196. So far in 2023, 17 homicides have occurred, and 55 shooting victims. This means over 130 people were homicide victims and 432 people became victims of gun violence during Blackmon’s tenure as chief. One of the deadly shootings occurred on the doorsteps of a police precinct on Buena Vista Road. There were also 5 mass shootings, one of which injured 9 KIDS. The chief of police stated after the 9-kid shooting, “The city is safe.”
Another issue at the face of the department was law enforcement officials and dispatchers leaving the Columbus agency for other agencies. A countless number of officers and dispatchers left the department, leaving some patrol shifts with barely any officers working and some dispatchers working every day for a week. Some shifts only had 10-15 officers patrolling 26 beats. CNAW was told weeks ago, 296 officers were employed at the department, but there are over a hundred vacancies.
Some other issues included an altercation between the two main agencies of Muscogee County – the police department and the sheriff’s office – outside the jailhouse.
The altercation occurred after Sheriff Greg Countryman told agencies to stop operations due to overcrowding. The operation continued without Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office but did involve Georgia State Patrol and Columbus Police Department at the request of the city’s police department. We are being told that the sheriff’s office allegedly called for backup after a deputy and a police officer had a conversation which led to things getting heated. The conversation, which was caught on Body-Worn Camera footage that we obtained through the Georgia Open Records Act, started when a deputy asked the police officer to move his car so the deputy could go to “a call.” The officer’s supervisor advised the officer to not move the vehicle due to them waiting for their inmate to be booked. The deputy then told nearly dozens of officers, “I hope I see you getting your ass handed too and I just drive by.”
Sheriff’s Office told Police Officials that any other agency took precedence over the police department. The jail did not accept most misdemeanors that were arrested by CPD officers into the Muscogee County Jail nor would they process any mug shots or fingerprints for suspects arrested on misdemeanor or city ordinance violations. 19 suspects were issued a principal summons during the operation.
The operation was shut down by Columbus Police due to the incident involving the two agencies. On Sunday afternoon, the operation was started back up and this time Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office, even though they weren’t invited, was seen at traffic stops with Georgia State Patrol.
Muscogee County Sheriff Greg Countryman said to his deputies in a leaked memo, “Please know, that if you see something that is factually incorrect, you have every right to correct it. We are all professionals. You share expertise that many lacks. They do not share your knowledge, courage, commitment, testicular fortitude, or the audacity to walk in your shoes.”
“It’s easy for others to come in and try to tell you how to do your job when they lack the empathy and understanding of what it takes. I know this is frustrating for you. But please know that for every one of these individuals that attempts to bring you down, there is also someone standing with you.
With that said, we will not do heart surgery over heartburn. We must rise above those who stir the pot as keyboard bullies. The LORD is with us. That will not change,” the statement added.
This isn’t the first time the Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office and Columbus Police Department have had issues. Back in March of 2022, Columbus Police sent out a memo, which was leaked, that stated, “At NO POINT will any investigator or supervisor of any
department (namely MCSO) be allowed to enter, interfere, or interact with anyone involved in any investigation that CPD is conducting. This includes witnesses. Please make sure that all of our personnel are made aware of this. This applies to traffic stops as well. They will need to be asked to exit the scene and to NOT interfere. If this happens in
any manner please notify me via text immediately. Chief Blackmon will deal with the matter after that.”
The Muscogee County Sheriff Greg Countryman then sent out a memo, which was also leaked. The memo from Countryman stated, “I am aware of a communication circulating CPD Command Staff that indicates that they do not want Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office personnel involved in the agency’s inner workings.” The statement added, “I have spoken with Chief Blackmon regarding said communication. As Sheriff, I am instructing all sworn deputies to continue working as stated in our motto – “Working together, accomplishing great things.” – just as we have always done. We will continue to assist, answer requests for assistance, and work with any law enforcement agencies (namely CPD), including local and neighboring counties. We will also assist all Sheriff’s Offices throughout the state of Georgia, as we have always done. Officer safety is paramount during these uncertain times, and we will continue to provide excellent service to all of those we encounter.”
Blackmon’s leadership was finally beginning to be questioned when Jensen Hughes, which is a professional engineering and consulting services company headquartered in Baltimore that provides services, software, and consulting in fire protection engineering, forensic engineering, and security, came into the department. The report, from Jensen Hughes, provided findings and recommendations designed to improve the Columbus Police Department, address leadership issues and challenges regarding CPD member retention, and provide strategic direction to address gangs and crime in the city.
Jensen Hughes stated in the report, they were asked to go assess the department’s current operations and provide the department and stakeholders with a written assessment report containing observations, findings, and recommendations for policy, procedure, and organizational changes to the police department to ensure it is using best practices and sound policies in all phases of its work. Jensen Hughes provided their report to the city council. To read more of their report, click here.
City Council after hearing the report from Jensen Hughes gave Chief Blackmon 30 days to come up with a strategic plan. 30 days later, Chief Blackmon arrived at the council meeting with the 12-page strategic plan and showcased key ideas of personnel, operations, training, and community engagement.
A day later, councilors and the Mayor of Columbus Skip Henderson gave Chief of Police Freddie Blackmon a severance package with a deadline of acceptance of April 5th, 2023. The package would have given Blackmon 250,000 dollars and other benefits. After the public hearing of the package, Blackmon’s supporters held a rally at a late March council meeting, as well as spoke to the council about how unfairly they treated Blackmon. Blackmon and his attorneys then sent their severance package to the councilors and other public officials.
Today, April 6, 2023, in a special called city council meeting, city councilors, and other city officials discussed Blackmon’s position, as well as personnel and possible litigation. After the executive session, City Attorney Clifton Fay announced Chief Blackmon had indicated his formal acceptance of the severance agreement.
Chief Blackmon will be paid $400,000 and receive other benefits in the agreement. Chief Blackmon will retire effective April 30, 2023, and will take paid leave as of April 6, 2023.
Mayor Skip Henderson said he is expected to name an Interim Chief soon, and the search for a new police chief will begin. “We hope that during this time of transition, the people of our city will come together to make Columbus a strong and united community.”
Councilwoman Toyia Tucker also made a statement on social media saying, “Chief Blackmon has served this city faithfully for 37 years and our intent has been to treat him with the dignity and fairness he deserves….this has been the most difficult time of my career as a city councilor, and I pray that the city will move forward towards healing.”
Stay with CNAW2NEWS.com for the latest updates on the next police chief of the second-largest city in Georgia.
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