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Council puts hold on Columbia community policing changes

Possible changes to community policing in Columbia are on hold.

The city council made that resolution Monday night, during a discussion with city manager Mike Matthes and police chief Ken Burton at Monday night’s council meeting.

Matthes say a miscommunication led to reports that Columbia was getting rid of its community policing unit. The department did plan on spreading the officers in that unit from a couple problem neighborhoods to each beat within the city. Matthes said officers have started the process of applying for the unit.

“I can assure that COU is not dismantled. It’s functioning today. And our work with the bid process will energize it next year,” Matthes said.

Chief Burton says it’s costing a lot of money to focus eight cops on such a small part of the city.

“Officers are getting burned out with it,” Burton said. “They don’t want to do that kind of work all the time.”

Burton and Matthes say the police department needs more money to put a higher emphasis on community policing, rather than just responding to calls about crimes.

Eight CPD officers work on building relationships in four high-crime neighborhoods, under the current plan. Several citizens spoke at Monday’s meeting about keeping community policing on its current track.

“Several of you will be up for re-election in April. We look to you as leaders in this issue,” Lynn Maloney said during the public comment period.

The council is expecting an updated report from CPD about community policing in December.

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