Columbus Division of Police Policy Manual

The Columbus Division of Police publishes its policy manual through the official city website, providing officers and supervisors access to operational directives, general orders, and administrative procedures. The manual reflects a mid-large metropolitan department with diverse call types, multiple specialized units, and an emphasis on community policing and accountability.

For promotion prep at Columbus, begin by mapping the manual’s major chapter headings (e.g., Patrol Operations, Investigations, Traffic, Special Operations, Administration). Within each chapter, identify the sections with the highest liability—use of force, pursuits, arrests, complaints—and build your study plan around them. Supervisors should focus on how policy defines their role: approvals, notifications, documentation, and inter-unit coordination. As you study each section, write a short “What I will do as a sergeant” summary to translate policy text into leadership action.

High-priority Columbus policy topics for promotion study include:

- Use of Force and Supervisory Review – definitions, reporting, and review timelines.
- Vehicle Pursuits and Emergency Driving – criteria, risk evaluation, and supervisory intervention.
- Arrest, Search, and Detention – legal thresholds, juvenile interactions, and documentation.
- Professional Conduct and Internal Investigations – complaint intake, officer rights, internal affairs procedures.
- Community Policing and Citizen Interactions – problem-solving expectations, guided patrol, and policy implications for supervisors.

Promotion candidates should link each of these topics to realistic scenarios such as high-risk traffic stops, custody of vulnerable persons, or complaint investigations.

When studying for Columbus promotional exams:

1. Highlight mandatory supervisory actions within each manual section (e.g., when the sergeant must respond in person vs do a report).
2. Build quick-reference tables comparing policy thresholds (force levels, pursuit conditions, complaint classifications).
3. Practice scenario-based recall: write or imagine short calls (e.g., use of force during juvenile contact, pursuit termination) and walk through the policy step by step to determine what you as supervisor must do.