City of Columbia names four finalists for police chief

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The City of Columbia released the names and backgrounds of its four police chief finalists Monday ahead of a public forum next week.

Nathaniel Clark, Dan Haley, Jill Schlude and Michael Zeller have been named as finalists to take over after the retirement of former chief Geoff Jones. The city hired Public Sector Search and Consulting to search for a new chief after Jones retired and named Matt Stephens interim chief.

The release says Clark is a former public safety director and was chief of police in Forest Park, Georgia from 2020 to 2023. Other experience includes chief of police in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and deputy chief in Albany, Georgia.

Dan Haley is a major in the Human Resources Division in Kansas City, Missouri, according to the release. He has also worked in the Research and Development Division, Logistical Support Division, special assignment office and as captain and assistant division commander for multiple patrol units. He also has a law degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

Schlude is the assistant police chief in Columbia. She has served in that position since 2019, according to the release. She has been with the department since 2005 and has previously worked as deputy chief, sergeant and officer.

Zeller is the deputy police chief in Greeley, Colorado. He has had that role since 2018, and previously worked as commander, sergeant and detective in the same department. He also has previous work experience at the Grand County Sheriff's Office and Denver Sheriff's Department.

City spokesperson Sydney Olsen said these four candidates were chosen out of 18 applicants.

She said the city is excited to get the ball rolling on selecting a police chief.

"There's not always a black and white answer to who's the best fit for something, but I think each of them has really good qualities in their experience in public safety," Olsen said.

Community members will be able to leave comments and meet candidates at a forum scheduled for 6 p.m. Oct. 18 in the City Council Chambers.

Olsen said the City will be bringing all four candidates to town for two days to be part of the forum and meet with many different panels around the city, including city leaders, business leaders, the local clergy and the public safety panel.

"We're really excited to have them here and get that face-to-face, and also just learn a little bit more about their vision, too," Olsen said.

President of the Columbia Police Officers' Association Matthew Nichols said he is looking forward to meeting the candidates to get a better sense of who they are.

"We're not looking for yes men or yes women," Nichols said. "We're looking for someone who is open minded enough to have hard, thoughtful conversations, a lot like Chief Jones was."

Nichols said he is looking for a leader to bring structure and strength to the department. He and Olsen both said whoever is selected as chief will need to have a focus on retention.

"Our staffing numbers are extremely low, morale is low because of those staffing numbers," Nichols said. "We're looking for somebody who can lead us really into the future."

He said he was excited to see an internal candidate in Schlude.

Olsen said Public Sector Search and Consulting conducted the nationwide search, and the city's executive team took over the interview process to narrow the 18 applicants down to four finalists.

"(Public Sector Search and Consulting) have been a really big help in getting some qualified candidates for the position, and a really big help on narrowing that down for those who are going to be the best fit here in Columbia," Olsen said.

Olsen said while the city will take feedback, the final decision will be up to city manager De'Carlon Seewood. She thinks they will have a decision in November.