Community Relations

The Columbus Police Department is dedicated to building community partnerships with residents, business owners, and those that visit the city of Columbus. The department has a dedicated unit to handle crime prevention concerns and community related events. These officers attend neighborhood watch and HOA meetings, school and church functions, and any other community-oriented function. The Community Relations/Crime Prevention Unit also conducts safety presentations that can be tailored for your specific need. The programs are designed to encourage conversation, education, safety, and crime prevention. Crime Prevention is best achieved by partnerships with the community and police.

Throughout the year the department hosts several community-oriented events. These events allow citizens to connect with our officers on a personal level to help fortify the bond between law enforcement and the community. Some of our events include Coffee with a Cop, Youth Leadership Seminars, National Night Out, Faith and Blue, Pastor’s Academy, Cops & Books Mobile, and Safety Patrol.

For more information, please contact Sgt. Angela Florence via email at Aflorence@columbusga.org

Pastor's Police Academy

The Pastor's Police Academy is designed to provide faith-based leaders with an understanding about various police functions. The academy also provides an opportunity for participants to interact with the department's officers, command staff and participate in ride alongs. Participants learn about topics such as Recruitment, Crime Prevention, Investigative and Patrol functions, Support Services, Crime Analysis, and the Office of Professional Standards.

D.A.R.E

D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) is a popular and effective program directed at children who have yet to have their first alcohol or drug experience. The officers assigned to this unit coordinate with the Muscogee County School District and participate in a 10-week curriculum with each 5th grade class in the elementary schools in Columbus.

G.R.E.A.T.

Gang Resistance Education And Training (G.R.E.A.T.) is an evidence-based and effective gang and violence prevention program built around school-based, law enforcement officer-instructed classroom curricula. The Program is intended as an immunization against delinquency, youth violence, and gang membership for children in the years immediately before the prime ages for introduction into gangs and delinquent behavior.

Partners in Education

In cooperation with the Muscogee County School District, the Department adopted Forrest Road and Double Churches Elementary Schools and Eddy Middle School as part of their Partners In Education program. Over the years, we have played an active role in many of their major activities by sharing time and talent in a mutually beneficial interaction enjoyed by both organizations.

Crime Stoppers

The Crime Stoppers program provides the citizens of Columbus with means of providing the Department with anonymous crime information. Citizens may call Crime Stoppers at 706-653-3188 or text VACS plus your message to CRIMES (274637) with any information about any criminal information in Columbus, Phenix City (Alabama) or Ft. Benning.

CityProtect.com

CityProtect.com allows citizens to submit anonymous tips online.

Explorers Post Program (ages 14-20)

The Columbus Police Department’s Law Enforcement Explorers Program goal is to train young adults into future leaders. We focus on leadership while giving youth the opportunity to learn about the various areas of law enforcement.
Requirements are:

  • Be a United States Citizen.
  • Be Between the ages of 14-20 (Must have completed 8th Grade).
  • Pass school classes and maintain a G.P.A. 2.0 or higher.
  • The ability to pass a background investigation.
  • Have no criminal arrests or detainment.
  • The ability to undergo an oral interview by the adviser or his/her designee.
Columbus Against Drugs Inc.

A program of the Columbus Police Department that consist of citizens with a focus to eradicate, drugs, violence, and crime from their neighborhoods.

S.A.L.T.

The S.A.L.T. Program (Seniors And Lawmen Together) is a coalition of resources and commitments between law enforcement and senior citizens. The results of these efforts include the Senior Volunteer Program, Senior Awareness Classes, the Task Force for Senior Problems and other projects.

Senior Volunteer Program

The Senior Volunteer Program is designed to take advantage of the talents of many senior citizens within the community who have retired from other careers. These citizens are willing and able to assist the Columbus Police Department by performing many needed tasks and functions.

Handicapped Parking Enforcement

Under the Handicapped Parking Enforcement program, volunteers are trained and authorized to enforce the Handicapped Parking ordinance in Muscogee County. This program has proved effective in citing those who abuse handicapped parking privileges.

Neighborhood Watch Program

The Columbus Police Department has over 150 Neighborhood Watch Programs. This program is one important way citizens can work together to prevent crimes in their neighborhood. The Crime Prevention Unit instructs the citizens on what to do if they see a suspicious person or activity in the neighborhood.

Interested in more information about the Neighborhood Watch Program »

Project Lifesaver Program

Project Lifesaver is a search and rescue program that is strategically designed for “at risk” individuals who are prone to the life-threatening behavior of wandering. The primary mission of Project Lifesaver is to provide timely response to save lives and reduce potential injury for adults and children with the propensity to wander due to a cognitive condition (Alzheimer’s, dementia, autism, etc.).