Calls for transparency in Colerain shooting

On May 29, officers with the Colerain Township Police Department were involved in an incident at the Colerain Marketplace Kroger store located at 3636 Springdale Road. According to Police Chief Edwin Cordie, officers arrived at the Colerain Kroger just before 4 p.m. to investigate an alleged suspect at the store. The incident resulted in one suspect and one bystander being shot and subsequently hospitalized. 

As an organization dedicated to working with communities and police departments in Hamilton County and across the region to accelerate reforms in local jurisdictions, the Holloman Center for Social Justice’s mission is to eliminate racial profiling, reduce uses of force, ensure police accountability, and to establish community oversight of departments and reforms. 

“However, since its inception, we have sought to collaborate with the Colerain Township Police Department on these crucial issues. However, our repeated requests for cooperation, data information, and responses to prior critical incidents have gone unanswered. This lack of engagement starkly contrasts with the active participation and cooperation we have received from neighboring jurisdictions,” said Fanon A. Rucker, Esq., Executive Advisor for the Holloman Center for Social Justice.

Rucker continued, “In light of the recent shooting, the Holloman Center for Social Justice urgently calls for full transparency from the Colerain Township Police Department and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation. We strongly urge the immediate release of all footage, emergency calls and all relevant materials related to the incident. Transparency is essential to maintaining public confidence in the department’s ability to conduct an open and fair investigation. 

“As the regional catalyst for police reform, we serve as the liaison between the community and police departments. Ensuring timely fulfillment of these requests is crucial for upholding public trust and demonstrating a commitment to accountability and justice. We stand ready to assist Colerain Township in adopting best practices and fostering a collaborative relationship that prioritizes the safety and rights of all community members. 

“Without question, police have an incredibly dangerous and often times thankless job,”  “Community members want to live in peace. Free from the fear of criminal behavior and unreasonable government suppression. When communities and law enforcement work together, it builds trust on both sides. That trust increases the community’s willingness to assist in resolving cases and can lead to a reduction in crime.” 

It is our hope that this incident will serve as a turning point for meaningful dialogue and partnership in Colerain Township.”