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, he said. An internal investigation into the how the rape complaint was handled by officers is also continuing, 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, said 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, city officials said.
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 if it is not resolved by mediation. The committee is a group of three community members who do not have any connection to the case.
Ramirez said the last appeal to the subcommittee was made in August 2016.
The committee is charged with answering two questions: Did the police department follow the appropriate procedures as outlined by its general order concerning the specific complaint, and was the decision of the office of chief of police in resolving that particular citizen complaint based upon sufficient information and is not arbitrary or capricious?
Ramirez said the adult female victim received a sexual abuse protective order as part of the investigation.
She said the city is remaining cognizant about the individual’s protections to assure her safety in the investigation.
