Columbus City Council voted Nov. 3 to appoint Brett Strecker as police chief after a closed-session discussion about a citizen complaint related to his appointment.

Mayor James Boeckley submitted Strecker’s name and noted the Civil Service Commission certified him. The council waived the standard two‑week waiting period for police‑chief appointments and then voted to appoint him. The motion to enter closed session to discuss the complaint stated the reason as “the prevention of needless injury to the reputation of an individual.” Council later exited closed session and proceeded with the appointment; the public record shows the appointment was approved by voice vote (counts not specified).

Council materials presented Strecker’s professional background: he began his law‑enforcement career with the Columbus Police Department in 1994, served as a patrol officer, spent substantial time in criminal investigations, was promoted to sergeant, served in interim leadership roles including interim captain and interim police chief, and has worked on Internet Crimes Against Children investigations. The mayor said Strecker holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in business administration with a focus on criminal justice management.

Strecker addressed the council after the vote, thanking elected officials and city staff and outlining priorities including community policing, improving departmental efficiency, and increasing officer contact with the public. He also acknowledged support from colleagues and family.

The council included the mayor, city administrator Tara Vasacek, and city attorney Neil Valeras in the closed-session participants list when discussing the complaint. The council record does not disclose details of the complaint in open session; the motion to go into closed session was taken under the stated rationale of preventing needless reputational injury to an individual.

Next steps: Strecker was installed as police chief; the public record from this meeting contains no further public deliberation about the complaint.