COLUMBUS, Ohio — A Columbus police officer who was fired earlier this year after posting body camera footage on YouTube has been reinstated with full back pay and benefits following an independent arbitrator’s ruling.

Officer Spencer Badger, a 14-year veteran of the Columbus Division of Police, was terminated in March after investigators said he uploaded body-worn camera videos to his YouTube channel, “Columbus Police Body Camera,” without following the required public records release process.

The channel featured footage of officers responding to incidents such as robberies, traffic stops and overdoses, accompanied by Badger’s commentary.

In a statement, the Columbus Department of Public Safety said, “While we disagree with this decision, we respect the process and will proceed accord

See Full Page