Columbia begins search for new police chief

A public survey is available on the city's Web site.

By Austin Alonzo

Published Sept. 12, 2008

Columbia began its search for a new police chief Thursday and solicited public opinion on the issue.

City Manager Bill Watkins led the meeting about Columbia's search for a new police chief to replace former Chief Randy Boehm, who stepped down this year after a long tenure with the police department.

Since Boehm's departure from the Columbia Police Department, Capt. Tom Dresner has held the position of interim police chief.

The meeting took place at the Activity & Recreation Center and only attracted a few citizens. Robert Slavin, the president of Slavin Management Consultants, presided over the meeting. The group was hired to oversee the selection process.

The citizens at the meeting displayed a general satisfaction with the department's service under Boehm and said they would like to see more of the same respectful and reasonable attitude they've come to expect from the police officers. Some members expressed satisfaction with response times and the neighborhood watch.

Community members were quick to suggest that the city hire someone with a career in law enforcement, which can help keep the city in order as it continues to expand.

John Clark, a longtime city government activist, stressed that Columbia has been "sitting," and the new appointment is a, "wonderful opportunity to grow."

Watkins emphasized the involvement of the community in the selection.

"We have a long tradition in Columbia of trying to gain as much community insight as we can," Watkins said.

Watkins wants the new chief to be recruited based on the input of the community from meetings and from a new online survey posted on Columbia city Web site.

Watkins said he wanted the search to include candidates who aren't necessarily looking for a position to open up, which led the city to hire Slavin Management Consultants, a human resources consulting firm based in Norcross, Ga. Watkins said he chose Slavin because of its reputation and its involvement in hiring police chiefs in the Midwest.

"We looked at thoroughness, track record and cost," Watkins said.

Slavin said it was very premature to start declaring which qualities the community was looking for, but was sure to note that the online survey would impact results.

Although Slavin has control over the search, he expressed that the issue belonged to the city.

"We work for the city, not the other way around," Slavin said

The online survey will remain up until Sept. 22, and Watkins hopes to announce a short list of candidates by next year.

The survey includes two questions: "What qualities are most important to consider in selecting the next Columbia police chief?" and "What community issues should the next police chief be aware of?"