Listed below are some topics and questions that are commonly asked of the Division of Police by citizens of Columbus. If you have a question that is not addressed here, please contact the Division's Information Desk at 645-4760, or e-mail it to the
Division of Police at e-mail@columbuspolice.org

Headquarters Information Filing Compliments
   and/or Complaints		 Criminal Record Checks
Filing Reports Filing Criminal Charges If you are in an accident
Being Fingerprinted Missing Persons  
Where is the Division of Police Headquarters located?
The Columbus Division of Police Headquarters is located at 120 Marconi Blvd. in downtown Columbus.  This address is at the corner of Marconi Blvd. and West Long Street.  Our mailing address is:

Columbus Division of Police
120 Marconi Blvd.
Columbus, OH  43215

When is it open?
The Division of Police Headquarters building is open 24-hours a day, 7 days a week, including all holidays. However, most public contact offices are open during regular business hours. For specific information about the Bureau or Unit you wish to contact, please refer to the Division Phone Directory for a direct phone number.

What number do I call?
In emergency situations: DIAL 9-1-1
For non-emergency calls for service dial 645-4545.
For general information call 645-4760.
For specific information refer to the Division Phone Directory.
How do I compliment an officer?
To compliment or show appreciation for a service provided by the Columbus Division of Police and/or a specific Division officer or employee, call the Patrol Administrative Office at 645-4580. If you don't know the name or badge number of the officer, please be as specific about the time, location, and type of service that was given. That information will help the Division of Police identify the personnel involved.
How do I complain about an officer?
To complain about the service provided by, or some specific action taken by, the Columbus Division of Police and/or a specific Division officer or employee, call the Internal Affairs Bureau at 645-4880. If you don't know the name or badge number of the officer, please be as specific about the time, location, and type of incident which occurred. That information will help the Division of Police identify the personnel involved and investigate your complaint further.
How do I obtain a criminal records check?
The Columbus, Ohio Division of Police does not perform records checks for the general public.  To obtain a records check, go to the Records Division of the Franklin County Sheriff's Department, located on the 2nd floor of 370 S. Front Street.

What information do I need to run a criminal records check?
You will need at least two of the following pieces of information about the subject of the records check:

the person's name
their social security number
their date of birth

What will a criminal records check tell me?
A criminal records check will list all currently active warrants and all prior convictions of an individual.
How do I make a report?
 
In emergency situations: DIAL 9-1-1
In non-emergency situations: To report a crime to the Columbus Division of Police, you need to call the police radio room at (614) 645-4545. In most cases, an officer will be sent to your location. If you are hospitalized with injuries that prevent you from calling the police, either the Division of Fire or the hospital will contact the Division of Police as soon as it is practical.

Can I make a report over the telephone?

In most cases, any reports involving personal injury, missing persons, property losses of more than $5000.00, offenses with a suspect and/or evidence left at the scene, and burglary will be taken by an officer at the scene. All other callers will be transferred or referred to the Telephone Reporting Unit to make their report over the phone.  You may contact the Telephone reporting Unit at 614-645-4717.  The Telephone Reporting Units hours of operation are:                                                    

Monday 7am to 3pm

Tuesday thru Friday 7am to10pm

Saturday 10am to 10pm

We are closed Sundays and all Holidays.

The Telephone Reporting unit will take calls to request a house watch, lost or stolen property including cell phones, theft from a motor vehicle or vehicle parts, vandalism (intended destruction of property), property damage (for example tree branches falling on a car), theft of mail, harassing phone calls, lost or stolen trash cans or recycle bins, or if you are a business reporting shoplifting or gasoline theft.  If you would like to make a report after hours, we have an automated system to take your report for your convenience.  Please allow 48-72 hours for the report number to be available.

 
How do I add items to a theft report that I have already made with the police?
 
To add items to a theft or burglary report, download a "Continuation Form" by clicking here, fill it out and return it to the Division of Police via U.S. Mail.

Alternatively, you can contact the Police Radio Room at (614) 645-4545 and an officer will respond with a Division "Continuation Form." After completing the form, you may mail it back to the Division of Police and the additions will be made to your report.

Where do I go for a copy of a report?
 
You can obtain one free copy of any accident or offense report (taken by the Columbus Division of Police) by coming to the 2nd floor of police HQ between 9 AM - 4:45 PM, Monday through Friday. 
 
If you do not need an OFFICIAL copy of a crime report, and a synopsis of the incident is sufficient, you can view the officer's preliminary investigation online. 
 
Accident reports are currently not available on-line. 
 
If you have filed a report with another police agency within the Greater Columbus area, you will need to contact that agency to obtain copies of the report.

How much does it cost?
 
It currently costs $.05 (a nickel) per page to obtain a copy of a report at Headquarters.  Reports obtained via our website are free.
How do I file criminal charges on someone?
For Misdemeanor Offenses: To file misdemeanor charges on an individual, you will need that person's name, address, date of birth, and social security number.You will take that information to the Columbus City Attorney: Prosecutor's Division, 375 S. High Street, 7th floor, Columbus, OH 43215. In most cases, filing a report with the Columbus Division of Police before reporting to the Prosecutor's Office is recommended, but not mandatory. The hours of operation for the Prosecutor's Office are:
Monday - Friday  9:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Saturday  10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Sunday  CLOSED
For further information contact the Prosecutors office at: 645-7483.


For Felony Offenses: If sufficient cause exists and a report has been filed with the Columbus Division of Police on a crime which meets the criteria for a felony offense, the appropriate Bureau assigned to that type of crime, ie: Vice Bureau, Detective Bureau, etc., will conduct an investigation. If there is sufficient evidence to proceed with felony charges, those charges will be filed on behalf of the victim by the investigating unit.

Can the Division of Police file the charges for me?
Generally speaking, Columbus Police Officers may only file misdemeanor charges in cases where they actually observed the offense taking place. Under specific circumstances set forth by law and Division policy, however, officers may be able to file misdemeanor charges in the following situations without observing the violation:
What do I do if I'm in an accident?
In emergency situations: DIAL 9-1-1
When you are in a collision involving a motor vehicle as defined in Ohio Revised Code, you are required by law to check for any injured parties and exchange information (name, address, Ohio Driver's License Number, vehicle license, and insurance police number/agent) with all those involved. (Ohio Revised Code 2135.12-14) If your vehicle is blocking the roadway, but no one is injured, you may pull off to the side of the road at the next safe location before calling the police. However, if there are injured parties involved or if your vehicle is damaged to the extent that it cannot be moved, contact the Columbus Division of Police immediately and wait for police officers to arrive before moving your vehicle. The Division of Police will immediately dispatch medical personnel when injured persons are at scene.

What if the other driver leaves the scene before the police arrive?
If you are involved in a motor vehicle collision and the other driver leaves the scene before exchanging information with you, attempt to get any identifying information that you can on the other car and its driver. This includes vehicle make and model, color, license plate, and any identifying feature such as noticible damage and/or markings. You should also try to get a good look at the driver. Try to identify their sex, age, race, hair color, and/or style, and any clothing they may have had on. This infomation will assist the officers responding to the scene to identify and file charges on the driver at a later time.

If you have already exhanged information with the other driver and they leave the scene, give all the information they gave to you to the reporting officer so that he or she may include it in the report.

What if the police are not taking accident reports at the scene?
In some circumstances, the Columbus Division of Police may not be taking any motor vehicle collision reports that only involve property damage, and no injury. This may occur during very inclement weather or if there is a critical incident occurring within the City which demands a large police response.
If you are involved in a collision and officers are not responding, exchange information with the other involved parties and within 24-hours report to the Police Headquarters Information Desk (Main Lobby) to complete a report. The officers at the Information Desk will give you further instructions at that time.
Or you may obtain an accident report online.  The reports are available in .pdf format and must be printed out at home and either mailed or brought to Police Headquarters.   The Division of Police does not accept faxed accident reports.

Where do I go for a copy of the report?
To obtain a copy of an accident report filed with the Columbus Division of Police, come to the Division of Police Records Section. It is located on the 3rd floor of Police Headquarters and is open to the public Mon-Fri, 9a-5:45p. You may also use our online service.  You will need a name and date of accident to receive a copy of the accident report online. Offense Reports are are also now available online, by clicking on "Offense Reports" on the main menu of the Columbus Division of Police homepage.
 
If you have filed a report with another police agency within the Columbus-Metro area, you will need to contact that agency to obtain copies of the report.
Why would I want to have my fingerprints taken?
The United States Military, the Bureau of Immigration, and some employers request that you have your fingerprints and/or a personal records check completed during the employment application process.
How do I get my fingerprints taken?
You may have your fingerprints taken at the Columbus Division of Police Identification Section, Public Service Office, 2nd floor, Police Headquarters, Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM.
What do I need to bring with me?
You will need to bring a fingerprint card, photo identification, and the payment receipt. The agency or business requesting you have your fingerprints taken will provide you with a fingerprint card.
How much does it cost?
Effective September 1, 2004, it costs $10.00 to have your fingerprints taken. You will pay for the fingerprint process at the Records Section counter on the 3rd floor of Police Headquarters BEFORE reporting to the Identification Section on the 2nd floor of headquarters.
Background Checks?
Background checks are now available. A state background check costs $25 and a national background check costs $45. The Columbus Division of Police utilizes WebCheck to obtain your BCI/FBI criminal background. Your fingerprints are submitted electronically through this service.
How do I file a missing persons report?
In emergency situations: DIAL 9-1-1
In non-emergency situations, contact the Columbus Division of Police Radio Room at 645-4545 and an officer will be sent to your location as soon as possible.

How long must I wait before I can file a report?
There is no time limit before you can file a report. You may contact the police for a report as soon as you realize the person is missing. A missing person is defined as, "...any person who is absent from where they are supposed or expected to be, and at least one of the following apply:
  1. The person is senile, or has other mental or physical impairments which subject that person, or others, to danger.
  2. There is any indication that the absence is not voluntary. An involuntary absence will be assumed if the length of absence is unreasonable.
  3. The person is under 18 years of age and:

A. Has run away or is otherwise missing from the home, or the care, custody, or control of parents, custodial parent, guardian, legal custodian, or other person having respondibility for the minor.

B. Is missing and there is reason to believe the individual could be the victim of kidnapping, abduction, unlawful restraint, child stealing, or interference with custody.

What happens after I file a missing person's report?
The missing person's information (name, date of birth, description, etc) is entered into a nationally linked computer system within 12-hours. If foul play is suspected, or the missing person is under the age of 12 or is otherwise deemed unable to care for themselves, a search of the immediate and surrounding areas will begin at once.


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