The four finalists for Columbia’s next police chief outlined their vision for the future of policing during a community forum last week at city hall. The four also held a meet-and-great with residents, after the forum. The four finalists are, in alphabetical order, former Forest Park (Georgia) and Fort Smith (Arkansas) police chief Nathaniel Clark, Kansas City Police Major Dan Haley, Columbia assistant police chief Jill Schlude and and Greeley Colorado deputy police chief Michael Zeller. Longtime Columbia business leader and banker Bob Roper joined host Fred Parry in-studio for the hour Saturday morning on 939 the Eagle’s “CEO Roundtable.” Mr. Roper tells listeners that Columbia hasn’t had a lot of luck with outside chiefs, and he also spoke highly of Ms. Schlude. Mr. Parry and Mr. Roper also discussed city manager De’Carlon Seewood’s performance and also talked about the growing issue of homelessness in Columbia:
(LISTEN): Columbia’s city manager praises the caliber of CPD chief applicants
The search for Columbia’s next police chief is down to eight semifinalists.
City manager De’Carlon Seewood says interviews will be conducted with the eight. Mr. Seewood tells 939 the Eagle that the four finalists will be in Columbia on October 18 and 19, which is a Wednesday and Thursday.
“We have a very robust process, and we really need the residents to turn out. So on October 18 we’re going to have a community forum, where residents can hear from the police chief candidates to speak on issues that are important to them,” Seewood says.
The October 18 forum will take place at 6 pm in the city council chambers in downtown Columbia. An informal meet-and-greet with the final four candidates will take place after the community forum.
While their names haven’t been released, Mr. Seewood is praising the qualifications of the eight semifinalists.
“When we look at the caliber of the people that apply to be police chief, it’s an example of how great this community is,” says Seewood.
Mr. Seewood isn’t saying if any of the eight semifinalists are from Columbia, but emphasizes the names of the four finalists will be released before the forum.
Former Columbia Police Chief Geoff Jones retired in August, after serving as chief since 2019. Matt Stephens is serving as interim chief.
(LISTEN): Columbia’s city manager praises the caliber of CPD chief applicants
The search for Columbia’s next police chief is down to eight semifinalists.
City manager De’Carlon Seewood says interviews will be conducted with the eight. Mr. Seewood tells 939 the Eagle that the four finalists will be in Columbia on October 18 and 19, which is a Wednesday and Thursday.
“We have a very robust process, and we really need the residents to turn out. So on October 18 we’re going to have a community forum, where residents can hear from the police chief candidates to speak on issues that are important to them,” Seewood says.
The October 18 forum will take place at 6 pm in the city council chambers in downtown Columbia. An informal meet-and-greet with the final four candidates will take place after the community forum.
While their names haven’t been released, Mr. Seewood is praising the qualifications of the eight semifinalists.
“When we look at the caliber of the people that apply to be police chief, it’s an example of how great this community is,” says Seewood.
Mr. Seewood isn’t saying if any of the eight semifinalists are from Columbia, but emphasizes the names of the four finalists will be released before the forum.
Former Columbia Police Chief Geoff Jones retired in August, after serving as chief since 2019. Matt Stephens is serving as interim chief.
(LISTEN): Columbia’s city manager praises the caliber of CPD chief applicants
The search for Columbia’s next police chief is down to eight semifinalists.
City manager De’Carlon Seewood says interviews will be conducted with the eight. Mr. Seewood tells 939 the Eagle that the four finalists will be in Columbia on October 18 and 19, which is a Wednesday and Thursday.
“We have a very robust process, and we really need the residents to turn out. So on October 18 we’re going to have a community forum, where residents can hear from the police chief candidates to speak on issues that are important to them,” Seewood says.
The October 18 forum will take place at 6 pm in the city council chambers in downtown Columbia. An informal meet-and-greet with the final four candidates will take place after the community forum.
While their names haven’t been released, Mr. Seewood is praising the qualifications of the eight semifinalists.
“When we look at the caliber of the people that apply to be police chief, it’s an example of how great this community is,” says Seewood.
Mr. Seewood isn’t saying if any of the eight semifinalists are from Columbia, but emphasizes the names of the four finalists will be released before the forum.
Former Columbia Police Chief Geoff Jones retired in August, after serving as chief since 2019. Matt Stephens is serving as interim chief.