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'Defund the Pride Police': Social Media Users React to What Columbus Police Unveiled This Month

Leah Barkoukis
Leah Barkoukis  |  June 23, 2022 9:00 AM

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. 

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.

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Columbus isn't the first city to have a pride cruiser. The NYPD has been using them for years.