Police department to change front-desk hours

Columbus Police Department is changing its front desk hours to increase the number of officers patrolling during peak times for service calls.

The front desk, which is inside the police department lobby at City Hall, is staffed by an officer to answer non-emergency phone calls, complete reports for minor incidents which have already occurred and to answer general questions from the public.

The front desk will now be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and closed Saturdays and Sundays. A call box, which contacts police dispatch, has been placed at the front door of the police department to allow the public to request an officer when the desk is closed.

Calls for service have increased 17 percent in the past five years, said Lt. Matt Harris, Columbus Police Department spokesman.

“By having additional officers on the street during evenings and on the weekend, we are able to respond to calls in a timely manner and avoid having the public wait for an officer for an extended period of time,” Harris said.