Chief Schlude says CPD will not have the staffing to reestablish standalone downtown unit by May

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Columbia Police Chief Jill Schlude told ABC 17 News in an interview before Monday's City Council meeting that the department will not have the staff to reestablish a standalone downtown unit in May.

"Unfortunately, we've had several retirements and we have quite a few people that are out either military or injured, so we're gonna have to push that back a little bit," Schlude said.

Schlude introduced the idea of bringing the unit back in an October interview, following the death of Stephen's College student in downtown Columbia at the end of September

Schlude had previously stated in October that May would be the earliest in which CPD could have had its downtown unit up and running, following recruits graduating from the academy. She had also listed June as a possible target date.

Police Lt. Clint Sinclair told ABC 17 News in February that new officers would be ready to go solo by the middle of May.

Schlude did not give clear timeline on Monday night for when the unit could potentially launch. However during the City Council meeting, she said it could be revisited for the fall. CPD wants to have "at least six officers and a supervisor" in the downtown unit, Schlude said during the meeting.

However, Schlude said before the meeting that CPD has found an alternative to help meet the downtown safety needs in the meantime.

"The good news is the patrol commander has figured out a way to up-staff downtown by adding extra officers in the downtown beat during bar time," Schlude said. "So we're going to try to find a little bit of a stopgap."

The Columbia City Council will also make a final decision Monday to implement a Downtown Ambassadors Program. Schlude believes the extra visibility will compliment CPD efforts.