Columbus police No. 2 left her gun in Ohio public safety HQ restroom – The Columbus Dispatch

Columbus police No. 2 left her gun in Ohio public safety HQ restroom  The Columbus Dispatch

A high-ranking police official left her gun unattended in the bathroom of the Ohio Department of Public Safety headquarters, Columbus police confirmed. About 1:35 p.m. Nov. 3, the Ohio State Highway Patrol found a gun in a women's restroom in the Charles D. Shipley building, 1970 W Broad St., Columbus police spokesperson Sgt. Joe Albert said. The gun was determined to belong to 1st Assistant Chief LaShanna Potts, Albert said. Potts returned to the Shipley building to retrieve her gun. Albert said the case has been referred to the city Department of the Inspector General, which investigates allegations of misconduct by Columbus police officers. The department has not responded to The Dispatch’s request for information.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol said in a statement that it found the gun in the first floor women's restroom of the building and returned it to Columbus police. The highway patrol did not place the building on lockdown because the owner was quickly identified. Albert did not respond to questions about whether Potts has been placed on leave or otherwise disciplined for the incident. Potts is second in command of Columbus police, reporting to Chief Elaine Bryant. She joined the department in 2021 after serving as a captain for Detroit police. Public safety and breaking news reporter Bailey Gallion can be reached at bagallion@dispatch.com.