Common Questions

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

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 7:00 am to 2:00 pm and Saturday from 11:00 am to 3:00 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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.