Columbus short 600 officers...

[CPD7297]

So what else is new? This has been known for decades. The numbers get higher and the city gets wider. Hopefully, it will help new applicants, if new academy classes start. Story: http://www.nbc4i.com/midwest/cmh/news.apx.-content-articles-CMH-2008-06-04-0033.html

[FiremanMike]

Every year they harp on how much overtime is earned. I'm honestly just glad they stick to Columbus... I know more than 1 patrolman who made well over 6 figures last year.

[drewsy64]

Shoot, we're lucky to have four guys a night on our shift.

[rocket97]

the next class only has 30 people because of budget cuts.

[dannmann1050]

If Columbus didn't make things so hard for exper. people (either in-state or out-of-stater's)...I would think it would rectify itself rather quickly.

[skevers10]

yes it is true that columbus could save money and also get more people if they opened enrolled, but the columbus academy does not simply do what opota requires. Columbus' academy requires its recruits to go through hundreds more hours than the open enrollment students do. at least 300 if not 400 hundred more hours, so therefore the open enrollment idea is not really an option.

[krim0205]

Cleveland does the same

[Columbus]

From a civilian's standpoint, we can tell. It's rare to see cops throughout the day here yet in other cities I've seen police cruisers everywhere (not such a bad thing). I don't think our mayor gives a s**t about our crime rates anyway, maybe that's just me though.

[FiremanMike]

yes it is true that columbus could save money and also get more people if they opened enrolled, but the columbus academy does not simply do what opota requires. Columbus' academy requires its recruits to go through hundreds more hours than the open enrollment students do. at least 300 if not 400 hundred more hours, so therefore the open enrollment idea is not really an option.

Yeah.. Columbus Fire does the same, it doesn't mean that CFD or CPD guy you encounter is automatically better because they went through their own academy. A new recruit is a new recruit, police, fire, in-house trained, open enrollment. I'm sorry but I don't buy into the theory that those academies are any better or worse than any other academy.

[TPD94]

You just become a better ROBOT. But, at least they're able to partake in the best career in the world!!

[CPD7297]

From a civilian's standpoint, we can tell. It's rare to see cops throughout the day here yet in other cities I've seen police cruisers everywhere ...

Unless you are sitting on a street corner hour after hour, how can you tell how many cruisers drive by? Let's get real here, the city of Columbus is hugh regarding square miles (270+) to cover and service. It's probably 3 or 4 precincts short to adequately provide minimum coverage. If you think it's bad now, you should have seen it with fewer precincts and before TRU (Telephone Reporting Unit) was implimented. Cruisers were dispatched to every little stupid, minor infraction to take an insurance report. CPD will never have the number of required officers equal to the population. It never has to date. Plus, alot depends on where you live in the city. The inner city precincts are smaller in size and normally man more cruisers. The far outer precincts, i.e., 19, 18, 14, 13, 10, etc are massive to cover. Many times the outermost cruisers are dispatched to the inner districts for coverage reasons per radio. And, what about the times a district car is pulled to cover the freeway. The Freeway Patrol doesn't take all freeway accidents. They have enough to cover, the outerbelt alone is 55 miles long, not to mention 71, 315, 670, etc. Besides, I currently live on the far end of a Columbus suburb and I too rarely see a cruiser. But, I'm not checking.

[Columbus]

Unless you are sitting on a street corner hour after hour, how can you tell how many cruisers drive by? Let's get real here, the city of Columbus is hugh regarding square miles (270+) to cover and service. It's probably 3 or 4 precincts short to adequately provide minimum coverage. If you think it's bad now, you should have seen it with fewer precincts and before TRU (Telephone Reporting Unit) was implimented. Cruisers were dispatched to every little stupid, minor infraction to take an insurance report. CPD will never have the number of required officers equal to the population. It never has to date. Plus, alot depends on where you live in the city. The inner city precincts are smaller in size and normally man more cruisers. The far outer precincts, i.e., 19, 18, 14, 13, 10, etc are massive to cover. Many times the outermost cruisers are dispatched to the inner districts for coverage reasons per radio. And, what about the times a district car is pulled to cover the freeway. The Freeway Patrol doesn't take all freeway accidents. They have enough to cover, the outerbelt alone is 55 miles long, not to mention 71, 315, 670, etc. Besides, I currently live on the far end of a Columbus suburb and I too rarely see a cruiser. But, I'm not checking.

Guess that would explain it then, kind of. I live in Precinct 10, one of the one's that you listed.

[sprinter124]

From my understanding at least 20% of the force is going to be eligible for retirement by 2011, is that correct? Does anyone know what percentage of those are patrol, detectives etc. I was bored last night and had to clear my head of some things and instead of taking a long walk i decided to drive around the city for a lil over an hour (i know not smart with these gas prices) but in the process i decided to count the number of cruises I would see. I live in the inner city in not the best of neighborhoods but also not the worst, I drove around some other neighborhoods, major streets, downtown, highways etc and in that hour I counted a grand total of two cruisers but I know its a big city with alot of area to cover and as cpd said there is no way of telling unless your standing on a street corner hour after hour.

[Hitman2]

I don't live in the inner city but rather one of the largest precincts. I see cpd all the time.
My husband and I were discussing the 2011 issue just this morning. I think he counted 12 for sure that he knew would be retiring in '11 just between his precinct and the precinct that shares the same substation- they are all 1st shift patrol. Guess that means he's not too far from finally getting a first shift job. :)
It seems like maybe the cost of the DROP program will bite them in the butt.

[drewsy64]

From my understanding at least 20% of the force is going to be eligible for retirement by 2011, is that correct? Does anyone know what percentage of those are patrol, detectives etc. I was bored last night and had to clear my head of some things and instead of taking a long walk i decided to drive around the city for a lil over an hour (i know not smart with these gas prices) but in the process i decided to count the number of cruises I would see. I live in the inner city in not the best of neighborhoods but also not the worst, I drove around some other neighborhoods, major streets, downtown, highways etc and in that hour I counted a grand total of two cruisers but I know its a big city with alot of area to cover and as cpd said there is no way of telling unless your standing on a street corner hour after hour.


Funny, I didn't know Columbus was a port city....

Kidding, of course. Yes, Columbus is short officers which is nothing new. It's up to the City whether or not they want to delegate the funds to put more classes through to replace the officers that are retiring.

[Hitman2]

Funny, I didn't know Columbus was a port city....

Kidding, of course. Yes, Columbus is short officers which is nothing new. It's up to the City whether or not they want to delegate the funds to put more classes through to replace the officers that are retiring.

Hi Drewsy! Are you following me? :)

[drewsy64]

Yes, I'm internet stalking you...


















don't tell anyone.

[CSVT]

Its fustrating to think CPD is 600 officers short, but at the same time is putting the next academy on hold. What gives? If Columbus laid a golden funding egg, would the number of academys ramp back up?

[sprinter124]

well my sister was involved in a hit and run accident yesterday and thankfully she wasnt seriously hurt and her 3 month old baby was not with her but after she called the police and waited near an hour they never showed because apparently none were available or were just tied up in higher priority calls which is understandable, but I wonder how often that would happen if there were 600 extra officers.

[bill198483]

I work for a suburban department and we have taken numerous calls for Columbus that have ranged from blocking traffic for an auto accident, removing debris from the highway, and even responding to burglary/robbery in progress calls.

While I do enjoy taking in progress calls, it really hurts the citizens of that area when the response time takes that long.

The funniest thing is, Columbus is looking to annex land in the Blacklick area, whose precincts are already extremely busy

[CSVT]

Looking to expand jurisdiction, and cutting jobs/money at the same time..... I just dont get it.

[CPD7297]

Many problems with CPD are the result of Chief Jackson. :( He joined in the 50's and has been chief since 1990. He has been pulling the department downward, year after year. Those guys need a fresh face with fresh plans/ideas. I have noticed some improvements, regarding new units. But for a city that large, new blood is needed. Remember, he is untouchable. It's his boat and he's the captain. Unfortunately for the citizens of Columbus, they are in the dark.