The Columbus Division of Police unveiled its pride cruiser for the month of June, which is decked out with rainbows, hearts, and flags and declares "love is love."
Officer Shawn Lutz, who is openly gay, says he is the division's LGBTQIA+ liaison officer in a video revealing the colorful ride.
"Im excited about this cruiser, it's great for representation," he said.
Happy #PRIDE Columbus!!!
— Columbus Ohio Police (@ColumbusPolice) June 16, 2022
Make sure to say hi to Officer Lutz when you see him out and get a photo with our PRIDE cruiser! pic.twitter.com/2BMcCWI5gj
In an interview with 10 WBNS, Lutz explains what it's like to be in law enforcement as a "cisgender gay male."
Lutz says being openly gay has created unique challenges and opportunities. He says he loves his division and the support he’s gotten from fellow officers through the years.
He also views it as a way to get involved, help change policies and be a resource that can benefit everyone.
Still, he says his sexuality can sometimes become a negative focal point while on scene. That’s when, he says, he often needs to table his own thoughts or feelings and, instead, refocus on de-escalation.
“Though my identity has been called into question by people interacting with [me] on the street…that happened obviously during the civil unrest [in May of 2020]… I never let that be a place where that’s the time to have a political conversation,” he said.
Pride Month, he says, is about being out, proud and living freely while creating space for others to be seen.
Lutz hopes the Columbus Division of Police will always continue to be that safe space for others to tell their stories behind the person.
“Proximity brings kindness,” he said. “So, it’s better for us to be a part of these organizations and doing the advocacy that we need to do, rather than distance ourselves from it.”
Social media users called out Columbus Police for its misguided priorities.
Following record murder totals in 2020 and 2021, this is the priority of @MayorGinther. https://t.co/4BnLtaQTOF
— Bruce Hooley (@BHOOLZ) June 23, 2022
Defund the Pride Police, what a waste of $. Now about fighting crime and public safety......... https://t.co/tqEHirc6n7
— AnvilSky (@K38Safety) June 23, 2022
?? Can we just focus on getting the bad guys off the streets? Jeezus.
— Mike Dury (@MikeDury) June 23, 2022
How many homicides have there been in the city of Columbus this year? Can we focus, please, instead of this nonsense? https://t.co/kzasHhVDoK
https://t.co/i7y7vNCTWw pic.twitter.com/yPWSDE2ZOt
— Far Left Watch (@FarLeftWatch) June 23, 2022
Columbus isn't the first city to have a pride cruiser. The NYPD has been using them for years.
