The City of Columbia has begun its national search for its next police chief.
Police Chief Geoff Jones announced his retirement on June 5. His last day is Tuesday, Aug. 1. The city manager said in June that the City planned to hire an outside search firm to help find candidates.
The City has hired Public Sector Search and Consulting, Inc., a search firm that specializes in recruiting police executives and managing the complex search process, according to a Monday press release.
The City has published a survey on its online engagement platform. The press release states the City believes input from the community and employees is crucial to finding the right person.
This input will be used to help develop the profile for the position, according to the release. The survey will remain open throughout the search process. The City hopes to announce a new chief of police by this fall.
Several community forums will be held in the next few weeks, according to its website:
July 7: Business Community Forum and Clergy Community Forum
July 8: Public Sector Search & Consulting will be hosting a community forum at the Activity & Recreation Center, 1701 W. Ash Street. This forum is open to all members of the community and provides an opportunity to meet with and speak directly with the search consultant and provide in-person input to help shape a profile to be used in the search for candidates.
July 10: Columbia Police Department staff forum; Columbia Police Officers Association Forum
July 11: Civic Groups Forum and Education Community Forum
July 12: Citizen’s Police Review Board Forum and Community Interest Groups Forum
A number of the listed forums did not have a time or location announced.
The City stated in its press release that updates on the search will be available on its social media website and the public police search link.
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Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.