Organizational Structure

The Columbus Division of Police is organized into five subdivisions. The subdivisions include the Administrative, Investigative, Support Services, and two Patrol subdivisions, East and West. Each subdivision is commanded by a Deputy Chief. The nature of each task to be performed determines which subdivision has responsibility and authority.

The individual subdivisions are further divided into bureaus or zones, each of which fulfills a more specific mission. Each zone or bureau is supervised by a police commander.

The zones or bureaus are subdivided into sections or watches and are commanded by a police lieutenant or civilian employee of equivalent position. The sections and watches are broken down into precincts, units, squads, or teams. Each is commanded by a police sergeant or civilian.

The Division of Police operates in a semi-military manner. Authority descends from superior to subordinate and responsibility ascends from subordinate to superior.

Chief of Police
Public Information Unit

Administrative Subdivision

Business & Personnel Bureau

Internal Affairs Bureau

Professional Standards Bureau

Training Bureau

Investigative Subdivision

Crimes Against Persons Bureau

Property Crimes Bureau

Special Victims Bureau

Narcotics Bureau

Patrol East Subdivision

Zone 1 - Northeast
Zone 2 - Southeast
Zone 5 - Central

Support Services Subdivision

Communications Bureau

Special Services Bureau

Strategic Response Bureau

Technical Services Bureau

Patrol West Subdivision

Zone 3 - Southwest
Zone 4 - Northwest
Traffic Bureau


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This page was last updated on: April 5, 2007