The Finance Committee on Monday heard a detailed briefing on a proposed civilian crime analyst position the city included in its 2026 budget.

Police leadership described the role as data-driven and civilian: the analyst would collect and analyze crime-related data (reports, logs, arrest records and open-source information), produce mapping and statistical reports, assist with forensic document review and evidence-room management, and serve as a liaison to prosecutors and regional partners. "It's very, data driven," the chief said when outlining the duties, adding the analyst would free sworn detectives for investigative fieldwork. Staff said similar analyst positions are common across nearby agencies.

Council members asked whether the position would use artificial intelligence. The chief said the department might use publicly available AI tools but currently has no specialized AI program. He cautioned about relying on unverified methods and emphasized that any automated tool would have to meet best-practice standards before being used in investigations.

The chief also described partner resources for advanced forensics and data processing — including BCI in London, the Franklin County ICAC Task Force, the Ohio State Highway Patrol criminal laboratory and the Columbus Police crime lab — and said a local analyst would help speed analysis and improve liaison work with those partners.

Next steps: the crime analyst title is included in the salary ordinance and the 2026 budget review; implementation depends on council budget approval and hiring decisions.