Columbia’s city manager has released the names of the four finalists for the city’s next police chief, and you’ll have an opportunity to meet the four next week.
City manager De’Carlon Seewood says the four 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. Ms. Schlude has been with CPD since 2005.
Mr. Seewood says the city will hold a community forum at city hall next Wednesday evening at 6, where the four finalists will share their vision for the future of policing in Columbia. The forum is open to the public. Mr. Seewood says attendees will be able to leave comments that will be taken into consideration in selecting the next chief.
Mr. Seewood tells 939 the Eagle that 18 people applied for the chief’s position, and he praises each of them for their qualifications. Former Columbia Police Chief Geoff Jones retired in August, after serving as chief since 2019. Matt Stephens is serving as interim chief.
