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Highest-ranking African-American officer with Columbus police says his career has been a 'blessing'

Alli started in the Youngstown Police Department in 1997 and served with his father for two years before moving his family to Columbus.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Elrico Alli was recently promoted to commander for the Columbus Division of Police. He is currently the highest-ranking African-American within the division.

“I recognize that I am a black officer, I realize that I am an African-American, United States Citizen. I realize that I am a police officer. There's no reason why these two things should be separate,” Alli said.

Alli jokes, it's a cliche, but he loves what he does and he loves helping others. He adds anyone who becomes a police officer is part of this profession because they want to serve.

“We want to improve the world around us,” he said.

Alli started in the Youngstown Police Department in 1997 and served with his father for two years before moving his family to Columbus.

“My career has been a blessing, I'll tell you that,” Alli said.

That sentiment hasn't changed with the protests over George Floyd's death.

“I find that this career is a job where you can actually affect what's going on around,” Alli said.

He says he supports people's right to protest and their demands for progress. He only asks that people do it peacefully.

“With racism occurring all across the nation, I just want to say that it needs to be addressed everywhere. We are addressing it within the division of police when it comes up,” Alli said.

Alli says he has experienced racism, but not as an officer on the Columbus Police Department.

“I personally have not, and that's a blessing. I personally have not experienced racism within the police department, but I'm not going to speak for other individuals. I encourage others who have experienced racism to come forward and make it known so we can get rid of it,” Alli said.

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