Columbia Police chief takes UM Health Care job

Chief Randy Boehm will start as security manager in July.

By Kathleen Pointer

Published May 12, 2008

Columbia Police Chief Randy Boehm announced this morning that he intends to retire from Columbia Police Department. Boehm, who has been with CPD for 31 years, will begin a position as the security manager for UM Health Care July 7.

"I've been eligible for retirement for a number of years, and while I still love my job, I reached the point over the last several years that if an opportunity presented itself, it was time to take a look at that," Boehm said.

In the new position, Boehm will manage operations, finance and personnel for UM Health Care security and parking services

"We believe Randy Boehm is very qualified for the job," UM Health Care spokeswoman Mary Jenkins said.

Boehm is replacing Ernie Barbee, who held the position for eight years, Jenkins said. Barbee retired on April 1, and the system began accepting applications for the position in March.

Barbee is also a former Columbia police chief. The skills acquired as chief of police are valuable ones to the job, Jenkins said.

"Factors in our decision included his wealth of knowledge that we believe will transfer, his activity in the community, his established working relationships with local and state law enforcement," Jenkins said. "His established relationship with those agencies will be helpful as our security often works closely with other law enforcement agencies."

Boehm said that the job presents some new opportunities while still allowing he and is wife to remain in Columbia, a factor he said was important to them.

"This job will be new and challenging, but still related to the law enforcement profession that I love," Boehm said.

Boehm said he applied for the position several weeks ago and began negotiations a week ago. He officially accepted the position with UM Health Care this morning.

After the decision had been made, Boehm said he informed the city manager of his decision. Boehm said the process for replacing him at CPD has not yet begun.

"I have advised the city manager that I will assist with anything he might need in this process," Boehm said.

Boehm said in his new position he will be making a base salary of $72,000 a year along with the retirement funds he will receive from CPD.

"Although this job is still related it will certainly bring some very different and new challenges," Boehm said.