Columbia’s new police chief to be introduced this afternoon

Columbia city hall is expected to be packed for this afternoon’s announcement of the city’s new police chief.

City manager De’Carlon Seewood has called a 2 o’clock press conference in the city council chambers to make the announcement, which is open to the general public. Mr. Seewood will brief community members and reporters to discuss the search and to introduce the new chief, who will also speak from the podium.

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. Mr. Seewood’s press conference will be broadcast live on the city channel, which can be viewed on Mediacom 80, Charter Spectrum 992 and CenturyLink 96.

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