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Publications

2022 Annual Report

The Annual Report highlights some of the Department’s noteworthy accomplishments throughout the year and documents our progress in meeting the goals and objectives outlined in our five-year strategic plan.
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2022 Internal Affairs Report

The Office of Professional Standards produces the Internal Affairs Report annually for your review. The Internal Affairs Unit is responsible for investigating allegations of employee misconduct; use of force; vehicle pursuits and officer-involved motor vehicle collisions. Additionally, the report compares information from the previous year for analysis.
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2021 Annual Report

The Annual Report highlights some of the Department’s noteworthy accomplishments throughout the year and documents our progress in meeting the goals and objectives outlined in our five-year strategic plan.
Download PDF

2021 Internal Affairs Report

The Office of Professional Standards produces the Internal Affairs Report annually for your review. The Internal Affairs Unit is responsible for investigating allegations of employee misconduct; use of force; vehicle pursuits and officer-involved motor vehicle collisions. Additionally, the report compares information from the previous year for analysis.
Download PDF

2020 Internal Affairs Report

We understand that every interaction a Columbia Police Officer has with a member of the public, whether through an enforcement action or community engagement, is an opportunity to build trust and legitimacy, enhance the reputation of the police department and increase citizen satisfaction with the services we provide. The Office of Professional Standard’s Internal Affairs Unit produces an annual report to inform citizens about incidents of officer-involved shootings, use of force, vehicle pursuits, officer-involved collisions and complaints of misconduct. The report provides a complete overview of our internal affairs activities along with supporting data and information. 
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2020 Annual Report

The Annual Report highlights some of the Department’s noteworthy accomplishments throughout the year and documents our progress in meeting the goals and objectives outlined in our five-year strategic plan.
Download PDF

Gun Violence Assessment & Action Plan

Over the past decade, Columbia, SC has experienced double the average U.S. rate of violent crime. More specifically, it has a chronic problem with gun violence. The city has had close to 500 person-hit shootings since 2015—that is, incidents in which a bullet hit an individual, whether intentionally or otherwise. In the past six years, one in six shootings victims has died; perhaps more disturbing is the fact that the already-elevated number of person-hit shootings has been on the rise since 2019, in keeping with national trends. Necessarily, formulating a clear understanding of how, when, where, and why these incidents happen is central to bringing some level of ongoing safety to affected communities. This understanding has and will continue to inform the Columbia Police Department’s strategies in dealing with this issue.
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Columbia Strong | Critical Incident Review 2020

This review of the civil unrest in Columbia, SC on May 30-31, seeks to offer a transparent picture of the police response to the actions of a small number of protesters. Specifically, it outlines the unrest in order to better contextualize police actions, and offers an unflinching assessment of the deficits of the CPD response, with a view to improvement of those practices. The ultimate aim is to facilitate the CPD in better protecting and serving the communities in which we all live.
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Best Practices for Nightlife Establishments

The purpose of this Best Practice Guide is to assist nightlife business owners in maintaining safe bars, lounges, and clubs free from illegal activity including: drug sales, underage drinking, over consumption of alcohol, violence, prostitution and sex offenses. The Columbia Police Department has adopted and expanded guidelines presented by the New York Police Department, New York Night Life Association, the Washington, DC Metropolitan Police Department and the Providence Rhode Island Police Department, as suggested ways to achieve that goal. These guidelines intend to convey a general road map for owners and managers. The information includes does not include laws that are applicable to all establishments and situations.
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Best Practices for Interactions with Transient Citizens

Best Practices for Interactions with Transient Citizens was created to assist business owners and citizens in developing a safe atmosphere for all citizens without making allowances for illegal activity. The Columbia Police Department (CPD) has adopted and expanded guidelines that are meant as a general road map; suggestions and information to aid citizens that come into contact with transient or homeless individuals.
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Top 10 Code Enforcement Residential Concerns

What constitutes an overgrown lot? What are the rules for roll carts? Learn more about residential concerns and the Code Enforcement Division, which is responsible for enforcing a variety of local ordinances related to the property maintenance and nuisances on all properties in the city of Columbia. They work to ensure a healthy and safe environment in order to provide a high quality of life for residents, businesses and visitors.
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2015-2019 Strategic Plan Progress
Report

The purpose of the Columbia Police Department (CPD) 2015-2019 Strategic Plan Progress Report report is to demonstrate ways in which the Strategic Plan is being put into action throughout the Columbia Police Department and our City. The Department’s Strategic Plan was developed in collaboration with CPD staff, city government officials and members of our community. The original plan, which provided strategic direction and focus on short and long-term goals, can be found here. The plan continues to serve as our roadmap to the future.
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21st Century Policing ~ City of Columbia’s Implementation Plan

In December 2014, President Obama issued an Executive Order establishing the President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing. The Columbia Police Department (CPD) has begun a detailed review of the Task Force Report and Recommendations. In order to support a comprehensive approach to reduce crime and build trust and legitimacy, implementation of the recommendations must come as a result of collaboration between city government officials, the Columbia Police Department and the community. The Columbia Police Department’s Citizen Advisory Council (CAC), which is comprised of representatives from relevant constituent groups, will serve as the mechanism for collaborative implementation. The purpose of this document is to provide stakeholders (City of Columbia officials, the Columbia Police Department’s CAC, and members of the community) with the current status of implementation efforts and start the collaborative assessment of additional recommendations to be addressed.

2015–2019 CPD Strategic Plan

The goals and strategies outlined herein will provide the direction and support for the necessary growth and advancement of the Columbia Police Department. While we have recently implemented a few of the outlined strategies, others are slated to begin in the near future. As our capacity increases over the next five years, we expect to implement the remaining strategies in partnership with the City of Columbia and our community stakeholders.

Law Enforcement Interaction Guidelines

As part of our efforts to facilitate safety in the City of Columbia, it occasionally becomes necessary for police officers to stop members of the public and ask for information. Being stopped by an officer does not mean you are a suspect of a crime.

Additional Publications

Best Practices for Interactions with Transient Citizens

Top 10 Code Enforcement Residential Concerns

Safer Neighborhoods through Precision Policing Initiative

Law Enforcement Interaction Guidelines

Armed Robbery Individual

Arson Prevention

Rape & Sexual Assault

Auto Breaking Tips

Burglary Prevention Tips

Car Jacking Prevention

Forgery Prevention Tips

Home Burglaries

Larceny of a Motor Vehicle

Prevent Larcenies

Armed Robbery Commercial

21st Century Policing – City of Columbia’s Implementation Plan

2015 – 2019 Strategic Plan Report

2015 – 2019 Strategic Plan Progress Report

2015 Internal Affairs Report

2016 Internal Affairs Report

2017 Internal Affairs Report

2014 Annual Report

2015 Annual Report

2016 Annual Report

2017 Annual Report

2018 Internal Affairs Report

2018 Annual Report

Best Practices for Nightlife Establishments

2019 Annual Report

Critical Incidents Review Report 2020

Violent Crime Threat Assessment and Action Plan

2019 Internal Affairs Report

2020 Annual Report

2020 Internal Affairs Report

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