Columbia mayoral candidate calls for external review of CPD

Columbia mayoral candidate and former state representative Chris Kelly said Sunday he is calling for “an immediate and comprehensive external review” of the Columbia Police Department.

He cited turmoil within the department resulting from the resignation of Chief Ken Burton, saying his departure brought to light “larger problems” that won’t be solved with a new chief.

He also cited recent comments made by Boone County Sheriff Dwayne Carey in an interview on 93.9 the Eagle, which some have construed as racist. Carey was discussing the possibility of merging the city police with the county sheriff’s department.

“It has only added to the community distrust we have in a City police force seemingly unable or unwilling to carry out the directives of Council through a City Manager also forced to resign,” Kelly said in the release. “Such beliefs as expressed by the Sheriff do not serve a community that strives to improve upon our history of racial intolerance.”

Kelly held tight to his stance that the African American community feels “under siege” and that there is an “us vs. them” mentality.

He said he didn’t see an enhanced level of cooperation between the city and county.

ABC 17 News will reach out to the Columbia Police Department, the Boone County Sheriff’s Department, and Kelly’s opponent in the race, Mayor Brian Treece, for comment.

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