Columbia Police chief announcement expected in early to mid-November

Look for an announcement in the next few weeks about Columbia’s next police chief, if not sooner.

City spokeswoman Sydney Olsen tells 939 the Eagle that they’re still on-time to make an announcement in early or mid-November.

The four finalists outlined their vision for the future of policing in Columbia at a community forum earlier this month. 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 Greeley Colorado deputy police chief Michael Zeller.

Former Columbia Police Chief Geoff Jones retired in August, after serving as chief since 2019. Matt Stephens is serving as interim chief.

Under Columbia’s charter, city manager De’Carlon Seewood will make the selection as chief.