Columbus Police Department
This department has independent oversight.
Sivil routes complaints first to Civilian Police Review Board — the civilian oversight body for Columbus. Routing here means your complaint isn't reviewed by the people it's about.
File directly with Civilian Police Review BoardHow easy is it to share feedback with Columbus?
We audit every department's public-facing feedback channels. Last verified 10/22/2024.
Columbus Police Department (OH)
How to file a complaint about a Columbus Police Department officer
The Columbus Police Department serves roughly 908,834 residents. If you had a problem with an officer, you have three distinct ways to file a complaint — and they are not equivalent. Here is how each one works in Columbus, based on Sivil's audit of public records and agency websites.
1. Civilian Police Review Board — independent civilian oversight
The Civilian Police Review Board is a civilian agency that reviews complaints about Columbus Police Department officers outside the department's own chain of command — your complaint is not investigated by colleagues of the officer involved. Complaints must be filed within 50 days of the incident.
- File online with the Civilian Police Review Board
- By phone: (614) 645-9601
- In person or by mail: 50 W. Town Street, Suite 100, Columbus OH 43215
- Civilian Police Review Board website
2. Columbus Police Department Columbus Police Internal Affairs Bureau — the department's internal channel
Complaints filed with Columbus Police Internal Affairs Bureau are investigated inside the department itself. The department has not publicly confirmed whether anonymous complaints are investigated. The filing deadline is 50 days from the incident.
- Email: iabdesksgt@columbuspolice.org
- Phone: (614) 645-4880
- In person or by mail: 1185 East Broad St., Ohio CO 43205
- Department page on the complaint process
3. File through Sivil
Sivil delivers your complaint by email to the right recipient for this department — routed to the Civilian Police Review Board so it is reviewed independently. You keep a copy, and it takes about five minutes. Start your complaint here.
Good to know
- As of our last audit, the Columbus Police Department homepage did not link to a complaint-filing page — one reason many residents struggle to find the correct channel.
- General department line: (614) 645-4760
Compiled by Sivil from agency websites and public records; last verified 10/22/2024. Procedures change — confirm details with the agency before relying on them. Sharing a positive experience instead? Send a compliment.