Columbus Police Officer Spencer Badger Reinstated After Arbitration Ruling

Columbus Police Officer Spencer Badger, who was fired in March 2025 for downloading and uploading body-worn camera footage to his YouTube channel without following the required public records process, has been reinstated with full back pay and benefits after an independent arbitrator ruled in his favor. Badger, a 14-year veteran, acknowledged violating department policy but argued he did not deserve to be fired, explaining that he was unaware of the prohibition against downloading footage to personal devices and believed he was easing the records department's workload. The Columbus Department of Public Safety disagrees with the arbitrator's decision but respects the process. The Fraternal Order of Police Capital City Lodge No. 9 praised the ruling as a reaffirmation of fairness, accountability, and collective bargaining rights for officers. Badger is scheduled to return to duty immediately, resuming his service to the Columbus community.