Columbia appoints Burton new police chief
Kenneth Burton will be moving to Columbia from Haltom City, Texas.
Published Feb. 20, 2009
City Manager Bill Watkins announced Thursday that Kenneth Burton would be Columbia's new police chief Thursday.
Burton will begin work around April 1 and his annual salary will be $135,000 and include the standard city benefits.
Burton said he is excited about his move to Columbia. Watkins is excited about the moved as well.
"Finding the individual who best fits Columbia and our city organization was my first priority; my second was making sure that everyone felt welcome to be part of the process," Watkins said in the news release. "I'm extremely pleased with the outcome."
Mayor Darwin Hindman commended Watkins for the excellent search process, calling it an open, successful project.
All of the candidates who sought the position were high quality, which made Watkins choice difficult, the news release stated.
Burton's experience as a police chief gave him an edge in the search, Watkins said in the press release.
"Ken's familiarity with issues that face top executives prepares him to assume departmental leadership here," Watkins said in the news release. "The minute he's sworn into our force, he will personify a community standard for accountability in a very difficult job."
Burton is police chief in Haltom City, Texas, a suburb of Fort Worth.
Burton has 28 years of law enforcement experience, including 16 years in Arlington, Texas.
Watkins said citizens gave important insights about the search process.
"I appreciate the contributions of those who served on the citizen advisory committee and those who took the time to meet the finalists personally and make personal comments," Watkins said in the news release.
Watkins said citizen involvement helped Burton learn about Columbia's character.
"Ken has already learned that people in Columbia care deeply about the community," Watkins said in the news release. "I know he will be graciously welcomed and frequently consulted."
Hindman also thinks Burton is a good choice for the job.
"I have met him, and I am impressed," Hindman said.
Hindman said he is excited about the new addition to Columbia.
"We can all look forward to the new chief, who I'm sure will do an excellent job," Hindman said.
Burton is dedicated to using his first six months in this new position to get acclimated to the department and allow the department to get acclimated to him. He said his goal is to provide the very best services possible.
Burton said he interviewed for the chief position because he saw it as the logical next step in his career in terms of size of community. He and his wife like the idea of moving into a university community and the events that go along with university life.
Burton said he and his wife are excited about the move.
"We're excited, and I'm ready to get to work," Burton said.