Columbus Division of Police
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Columbus Division of Police |
|
 |
|
| Professionalism ★ Respect ★ Integrity ★ Discipline ★ Enthusiasm | |
| Established | 1868 |
| Jurisdiction | Municipal |
| Sworn | 1,822 |
| Non-sworn | 342 |
| Stations | 25 |
| Police boats | 11 |
| Helicopters | 6 |
| Chief | James G. Jackson |
| Website | www.columbuspolice.org |
The Columbus Division of Police is the main policing unit for the city of Columbus, Ohio. It is composed of 19 precincts, and the Chief of Police is James G. Jackson. Columbus is ranked the 8th most dangerous city in the United States of the 15 cities with a population of 700,000 or more.[1] Special units of the Columbus Division of Police include a Helicopter Unit, Canine Unit, Mounted Unit, Bicycle Patrol Teams, Marine Park Unit, PoliceNET Operations Unit, and a Computer Forensics Unit.[2]
In 2003, there were 1,779 sworn police officers and 349 civilian staff. By 2006, the number rose to 1,822 sworn officers and 342 total civilian staff. The estimated total budget was $216,000,000 in 2005, which rose to $244,000,000 for 2007.[3]
Contents |
Structure
Columbus Police has a total of 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. As of 2007, the department has 484 marked patrol vehicles, 536 unmarked vehicles, 41 motorcycles, 60 bicycles, 11 boats, 8 horses, 9 canines, and 6 helicopters.[2]
Rankings are as follows:
- Chief of Police: 1
- Deputy Chief: 5
- Commander: 18
- Lieutenant: 57
- Sergeant: 226
- Police Officer: 1,517
Administrative Subdivision
The Administrative Subdivision's Deputy Chief Walter Distelzweig currently commands a staff of 128 sworn and 86 civilian employees who conduct internal investigations, research and development, recruit and in-service training, inspections, legal matters, accreditation process, and business and personal administration. He also serves as the Division’s representative in labor-management concerns and as a liaison with City Hall.
Investigative Subdivision
The investigative Subdivision's Deputy Chief Antone P. Lanata commands a staff of 388 sworn and 50 civilian employees who primarily conduct in-depth investigations of crimes that, due to their nature or complexity, cannot be investigated by uniformed officers. This includes, but is not limited to, cases involving felony crimes against persons and property; a multitude of investigations involving juvenile offenders or victims; and covert investigations involving narcotics, vice, and intelligence concerns.
Support Services Subdivision
The Support Services Subdivision's Deputy Chief Gary Thatcher commands a staff of 197 sworn and 248 civilian employees. The Support Services Subdivision consists of a variety of specialized units that support the Division’s patrol and investigative activities. Among the services these units provide are communications and computer networks, helicopter air support, special weapons and tactics, court assistance, police records and identification, community liaison, and maintenance of the Division’s canine and motor vehicle fleet.
Patrol West Subdivision
The Patrol West Subdivision's Deputy Chief Stephen Gammill commands 579 sworn and 17 civilian personnel. The subdivision is composed of zone 3 (Southwest), zone 4 (Northwest), and the Traffic Bureau. The Traffic Bureau commander oversees the Mounted Unit, Freeway Patrol Units, Traffic Control Unit, and the Accident Investigation Squad. The Bureau is responsible for the freeways, downtown traffic, residential area traffic, and the investigation of hit-skip and fatal accidents.
Patrol East Subdivision
The Patrol East Subdivision's Deputy Chief John M. Rockwell commands 448 sworn and three civilian employees. The subdivision is composed of zones 1 (Northeast), 2 (Southeast), and 5 (Central). The subdivision's commander is Deputy Chief John M. Rockwell, and the three zones are divided into nine precincts with officers working out of eight substations located throughout the eastern portion of the city.
Marked Vehicles
The Columbus Police standard marked patrol fleet consists largely of Crown Victoria Police Interceptor models. Sergeants drive the Chevrolet Impala and zone Lieutenants drive the Ford Expedition. The Chevrolet Express is used as a Paddywagon. Additionally, the department is testing a Dodge Charger in its Freeway Patrol division.
Marked Vehicles can be identified by the numbered "license" plates. Two or three digit plates show the precinct number followed by the car number. Only a maximum of 10 regular cars are assigned to any single precinct, so a plate bearing the number 55 is precinct-5 car-5; where plate 190 is precinct-19 car-10. Vehicles outside the standard precinct structure, i.e. Freeway Patrol, and Motorcycle Patrol also follow this pattern, where their unit is given a unique "precinct" number.
The letter "R" as a prefix to this system denotes a "replacement". Plate R-106 is used because the 10th precinct has a regular vehicle in maintenance or repair.
The letters "S" and "L" stand for Sergeant and Lieutenant and denote that vehicle assigned to that ranked officer assigned to the following numbered precinct: S-12 is the Sergeant for precinct-12 and L-1 is the Lieutenant for zone-1.
The letter "T" Denotes a "Training" vehicle and is assigned to the Police Academy
The letter "X" stands for eXtra. X-Cars are kept at the Police Impound yard and are available to officers for special duty.
Special Duty
Some police duties that are required by law or requested by the general public fall outside the realm of normal, everyday procedures. For example, Ohio Law requires that only a Law Enforcement Officer may close a public road, or a lane thereof, without establishing a legal, marked detour(for road closure), or using concrete barriers (for lane restrictions only). In the event of a short-term construction project, a law enforcement officer must be on sight to legally close the area to traffic.[4]
Columbus Police are permitted to work "Special Duty" assignments, upon approval, while off duty. Special Duty assignments can include anything from closing highway lanes for short-term road construction, to directing traffic for events, escorting a funeral procession, or providing security for private businesses, such as banks or stores. Most special duty assignments are paid for by the organization requesting the officers presence. However, while on Special Duty, the officer works for the City of Columbus, regardless the posting, and can be called upon by On Duty personnel if needed.
Areas of Interest
In 2006, the Columbus Division of Police cited some main areas for criminal activity. The main areas were the west side, or West Columbus, Ohio, and the East Columbus, Ohio. They said the that the 5 Precincts making up the west side and near east side were generally the most dangerous. The actual crimes reported on were that the Near East Side was the worst area for Murder, the Short North was the worst for Assault, and that the westside's Precinct 10 was the worst for car break-ins and motor vehicle theft.
