COLUMBUS - The U.S. Justice Department yesterday sued the City of Columbus, charging a pattern of civil rights violations by the police department.

The allegations include excessive force, false arrests and improper searches. The Justice Department reviewed more than 300 complaints.

The lawsuit came the day after the local Fraternal Order of Police rejected an offer to settle the case. The city and Justice Department reached a tentative settlement in August, but union approval was necessary because the agreement would change practices covered by a labor contract.

The Justice Department asked the U.S. District Court to take no action until Dec. 20 to allow time for more negotiation with the union.

The leadership and performance of the police department have been top issues in the Nov. 2 mayoral election. The Republican candidate, County Commissioner Dorothy Teater, has criticized her opponent, Democratic City Council President Michael Coleman, for voting to give embattled Police Chief James Jackson a pay raise.

Race was not an issue in the Justice Department investigation, but Jackson, who is black, has accused city officials who feuded with him of racism. Coleman and the elected City Attorney Janet Jackson, who negotiated the proposed settlement with the Justice Department, are also black.

Columbus was only the third city in the United States to be threatened with a lawsuit by the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division under the authority of a 1994 law. Steubenville and Pittsburgh reached agreements known as consent decrees in which they promised to correct problems in the training, supervision and discipline of officers.

The lawsuit said the 1,700-member Columbus police department had a pattern of using excessive force against people who committed no crime or only minor offenses. It also accused police of falsely arresting or charging people who see police misconduct or are believed likely to complain of misconduct.

Telephone messages were left yesterday seeking comment on the suit from the city attorney's office and FOP President William Capretta.

The lawsuit demands improvements in the training and supervision of police officers, and the investigation of civilian complaints.

''We would still prefer to bring about needed changes in the police department through negotiations, rather than contested litigation,'' said Bill Lann Lee, acting assistant attorney general for civil rights.