A woman is appealing findings from the Columbus Police Department following an investigation into a customer service complaint she made against the department in April.
CPD investigated a reported rape involving the victim that occurred on April 6, in the 700 block of Reed Street, said Lt. Matt Harris, Columbus Police Department spokesman. No further identifying information on the victim is being released as this case involves a sexual assault allegation that is still under investigation, as is the internal look into the how the investigation was handled, Harris said.
The complaint, filed by the woman within 15 days of the incident, is in regard to unsatisfactory “customer service” she alleges she received by the Columbus Police Department, according to Aida Ramirez, director of the Human Rights Commission.
Ramirez said any individual in the city of Columbus can make a complaint against the local police department. The complaint must be filed within 15 days of the incident occurring.
The police department must investigate the complaint in a timely manner and communicate its findings to the complainant. If the individual is unsatisfied with the determination of the department, they may appeal to the Citizen Review Committee of the Community Police Review Board.
Before it goes to the Citizen Review Committee, both the complainant and the Columbus Police Department have agreed to undergo mediation to try to resolve the issue.
Ramirez requested Tuesday that the Columbus Board of Public Works and Safety assign the victim’s appeal to the Citizen Review Committee of the Community Police Review Board in case it is not resolved by mediation. The committee is a group of three community members who do not have any connection to the case.
For more on this story, see Thursday’s Republic.
