​Target: Brian Steel, President of the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Capital City Lodge No. 9

​Date: May 2026

​TO THE EXECUTIVE BOARD AND GENERAL MEMBERSHIP OF FOP LODGE NO. 9:

​We, the undersigned [members of FOP Lodge No. 9 / concerned citizens of Columbus and Whitehall], hereby submit this formal petition to demand the immediate removal and replacement of Brian Steel from his position as President of the Fraternal Order of Police Capital City Lodge No. 9.

​GROUNDS FOR REMOVAL

​1. Inflammatory and Unprofessional Remarks Toward NAACP Leadership

President Steele has demonstrated a lack of professional conduct and racial sensitivity by publicly referring to the newly elected NAACP Columbus Chapter President, Sean Walton Jr., Esq., as a "poverty pimp." These remarks are not only derogatory but serve to fracture the essential relationship between law enforcement and the communities they are sworn to protect.

​2. Undermining Judicial Accountability

President Steel has publicly stated that the conviction of an officer "served no one," effectively dismissing the legal process and the importance of accountability within the force. This rhetoric suggests that members of the FOP are above the law, damaging the public’s trust in the justice system.

​3. Exploitation of Officer Injuries to Justify Misconduct

Following the recent shooting of a Columbus Police Department (CPD) officer, President Steel used the incident as a platform to justify the use of force against unarmed citizens. By conflating a tragic act of violence against an officer with the unlawful shooting of unarmed civilians, he has promoted a dangerous "us vs. them" narrative that endangers the lives of Columbus residents.

​4. Unethical Involvement in the Whitehall Mayoral Recall

President Steele has actively engaged FOP resources to support a biased and unethical recall effort against Michael Bivens, the first elected African American mayor of Whitehall. His involvement, which includes allegations of personal intimidation and the use of union influence to settle political grievances, constitutes a gross overreach of his office and an abuse of union power.

​RESOLUTION SOUGHT

​For the reasons stated above, we assert that Brian Steel is unfit to lead Lodge No. 9. His actions have brought discredit to the organization, alienated the community, and compromised the integrity of the profession.

​We demand:

​The immediate resignation or removal of Brian Steele as President.

​An interim appointment to oversee the transition to new leadership.

​A formal public apology from the Lodge to President Sean Walton Jr., Esq., and the citizens of Whitehall and Columbus.