Columbia Authority of police and fire department officials ordinance (§ 14-26)
Chapter 14: Motor Vehicles and Traffic · Article II. Administration and Enforcement
In short: Police officers can direct traffic by voice, hand or signal, and in a fire or other emergency, to speed traffic or to protect pedestrians, they may direct it as conditions require even if that departs from normal traffic laws. Firefighters at a fire scene may also direct traffic nearby.
Our plain-English summary, not the official text or legal advice. The ordinance below is what counts.
(a) It shall be the duty of the officers of the police department, or such officers as are assigned by the chief of police, to enforce all street traffic laws of the city and all of the state vehicle laws applicable to street traffic in the city.
(b) Officers of the police department, or such officers as are assigned by the chief of police, are hereby authorized to direct all traffic by voice, hand or signal in conformance with traffic laws; provided that, in the event of a fire or other emergency or to expedite traffic or to safeguard pedestrians, officers of the police department may direct traffic as conditions may require, notwithstanding the provisions of the traffic laws.
(c) Officers of the fire department, when at the scene of a fire, may direct or assist the police in directing traffic thereat or in the immediate vicinity.
Official source: City of Columbia official Code of Ordinances (online): look up Sec. 14-26
Text from Supplement 139 (September 3, 2026).
Last checked November 1, 2026. The city's official copy controls; this page is a reading copy, not legal advice.