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.


Headquarters Information

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, the public services are only open Monday through Friday 7 AM to 2 PM and Saturday from 11 AM to 3 PM. 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 Make a Police Report?

In emergency situations: DIAL 9-1-1

In non-emergency situations: There are 3 ways to make a police report.

With an Officer at Scene

To report a crime to the Columbus Division of Police, you need to call the police radio room at (614) 645-4545. 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.

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Over the Phone

Any reports involving personal injury, missing persons, property losses of more than $3000.00, offenses with a suspect and/or evidence left at scene, and burglary will be taken by an officer at the scene. All other callers will be transfered to the Telephone Reporting Unit to make their report over the phone. You may contact the Telephone Reporting Unit directly at 614-645-4717.

Identity Theft

You may report identity theft (with no suspects) online through our COPLOGIC Reporting system at www.columbuspolice.org, by clicking the link that says file a report. If you do not have access to the internet please call (614) 645-4717, select the prompt for an OA callback. Leave your name and telephone number and an Office Assistant will return your call and take a report.

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. These reports will be made available within 48 hours.

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Online

If you prefer you may make a report online. To get started with an online report, CLICK HERE

How Add Item To A Theft Report Already Made To Police?

Adding items to a theft or burglary report can be done online start by Clicking Here

Alternatively, there are two other options for adding items. Download the "Continuation Form", once the form is completed mail it back to the Division of Police and the report will be updated. You may also call the Police Radio Room at (614) 645-4545 and have an officer dispatched and the officer will drop off the continuation form, again, once completed mail it back to the Division of Police and the report will be updated.

Where Do I Go For A Copy Of The Report?

The Columbus Division of Police is in a transition period regarding accident reports. We are moving from a paper-based system to an electronic system that interfaces with the State of Ohio Department of Public Safety.

Columbus Division of Police electronic crash reports are submitted to the Ohio Department of Public Safety (ODPS). Electronic crash reports are available on the ODPS web site once submitted and accepted by ODPS. Crash reports submitted via hard copy won't be available by the ODPS for several weeks after submission. There is no cost associated with copies of crash reports obtained from the ODPS website.

Use the link provided to view/retrieve Columbus Police crash reports on the ODPS web site:

Crash Reports

No copies of crash reports are available via the Columbus Police website.

The Columbus Division of Police can process requests locally via faxing your request to the Columbus Police Record Section at 645-4001. You can also make a request in person on the second floor of Police Headquarters, Monday through Friday 7 AM to 2 PM and Saturday from 11 AM to 3 PM.. Any associated costs are determined per request.

If faxing a request, please include your contact information so that we can notify you when the requested documents are ready for pick up at:

Columbus Police Headquarters,
120 Marconi Blvd, Columbus, Ohio 43215.

 

 
 
 
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 per page to obtain a copy of an offense/accident report at Headquarters. *Fees are payable by cash, money order or certified check made payable to "City of Columbus Treasurer Police." Note; personal checks are NOT accepted. 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 - 7:00 PM
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 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:
 
  • Offenses of Violence as defined in Ohio Revised Code (O.R.C.) Section 2901.01 Criminal Child Enticement - O.R.C. 2905.05 Public Indecency - O.R.C. 2907.09 Domestic Violence or Violation of a Protection Order - O.R.C. 2919.25 or 2919.27 Menacing by Stalking - O.R.C. 2903.211 Aggravated Trespassing - O.R.C. 2911.211 Certain theft offenses, as defined in O.R.C. 2913.01(K) Driving Under the Influence - O.R.C. 4506.15
  • Traffic Offenses which result in a collision

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 Public Service office. It is located on the 2nd floor of Police Headquarters and is open to the public Monday through Friday 7 AM to 2 PM and Saturday from 11 AM to 3 PM.
 

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.

Background Checks

Why would I want to have my fingerprints taken?
Many employers require you to have your fingerprints taken during the employment application process. The fingerprints are submitted to the State of Ohio and/or FBI for a criminal background check.
Where do I get my fingerprints taken?
You may have your fingerprints taken at 120 Marconi Blvd (Police Headquarters) in the Identification Unit Public Service Office located on the 2nd floor. The hours are: Monday through Friday 7 AM to 2 PM and Saturday from 11 AM to 3 PM. , Phone: 614-645-4696.

Electronic Fingerprinting Services
Electronic Fingerprinting is now required by the State of Ohio in most cases. The Columbus Division of Police utilizes the National WebCheck Service to achieve this requirement. This service results in a criminal background check that will be mailed to your employer from the State of Ohio and/or FBI.
 

Inked Fingerprinting Services
In some unique cases, inked fingerprinting is needed. We provide this service; however, the submission of the fingerprint card(s) to the State and/or FBI will be the responsiblity of the customer or employer.

What do I need to bring with me?
Your need to bring a photo ID that includes your date of birth, current address, and the name and address of the employer to whom the results will be sent. The agency or business requesting that you have your fingerprints taken should provide you with a fingerprint card if one is needed.

FBI/BCI Reason Code Requirement
FBI and BCI WebChecks have a specific reason code, a series of numbers and/or letters that define the reason you are being fingerprinted. Separate reason codes for the FBI and BCI are required for all WebCheck fingerprinting. Please refer to the person or organization requesting the fingerprints for the code you need. Police personnel cannot assist you in finding the correct code.

BCI Specifications


FBI Reason Codes



How much does it cost?
 
$15.00 for each inked fingerprint card (does not include the State/Federal fees for submission for criminal background checks)

$42.00 for electronic fingerprint transmission to the State of Ohio


$44.00 for electronic fingerprint transmission to the FBI


$66.00 for electronic fingerprint transmission to both the State of Ohio and the FBI

 
*Fees are payable by cash, money order or certified check made payable to “City of Columbus Treasurer Police”. Note; personal checks are NOT accepted.

Filing 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. Missing children should be reported immediately upon discovering that they are missing. A missing person is any person 18 years of age or older who is absent from where he or she is expected to be and cannot be located, and when at least one of the following apply:
  1. The person has diminished capacity or a physical disability;
  2. The person is missing under circumstances indicating his or her safety may be in danger; or
  3. There is an indication that the absence is not voluntary. A missing child is any person less than 18 years of age, and who has run away or is otherwise missing from the home or from the care, custody, or control of the parents, custodial parent, guardian, legal custodian, or other person having responsibility for the child in loco parentis, or is missing and there is reason to believe the child could be the victim of a criminal act.

 

What happens after I file a missing person's report?
The report is assigned to a Missing Persons Unit detective for investigation. A missing juvenile’s information (name, date of birth, description, etc.) is entered into a nationally linked computer system within 2 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, the case will be considered a high risk missing and will generate a detective response.
 
 
 

 

The information presented on this site is believed to be accurate, but not guaranteed.
The City of Columbus and Division of Police disclaim liability for any error or omissions.
External links are intended to be informational and do not have the endorsement of the City of Columbus
or Division of Police.