Stephens describes interim police chief duties at CPRB meeting, permanent chief expected to be hired in November
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The Columbia Citizens Police Review Board held a meeting Wednesday night to discuss the Police Department's hiring process for a new Police Chief according to the agenda.
The search for a new chief comes after former Chief Geoff Jones retired. Stephens began serving as the Interim Chief of Police at the end of July. Matt Stephens was named the interim chief.
Stephens attended the meeting and used his time to offer an introduction to himself, answer questions from the board and explain his temporary role.
"There's a lot of administrative stuff that you just have to keep up on day to day, that kind of stuff," Stephens said.
Stephens said he will cover all of the administrative duties, such as overseeing the evidence unit and hiring new recruits, but will not involve any patrolling or investigating.
Stephen said Columbia City Manager De'Carlon Seewood hopes to find a new hire by November.
"Hopefully this won't... this won't drag out for a long period of time," Stephens said.
He added during that time, he will be overseeing and helping in way's that he can, though he will not be making any policy or major changes.
"Anything that they do want either we can help them with if it's a small thing, without making any major organizational changes of procedural changes," Stephens said.
The City has hired an outside firm to conduct the search for Jones' permanent replacement, and has done a series of forums to gather feedback from the community.
The CPRB also planned the Sept. 14, special meeting on Police Policies 300 and 447.
Policy 300 is the Police Departments Use of less-lethal force or deadly force. The police refer to law enforcement's response to resistance or in carrying out lawful law enforcement.
Policy 447 is the department's body-worn camera policy.
The meeting comes on the heels of an officer-involved shooting that occurred Friday. A man who reported being suicidal was killed after shooting at officers Friday afternoon, police officials said.
Board Chairmen Reece Ellis asked Stephens about the department's co-responder partnership following Friday's incident.
"These community partners aren't going to be you know, empowered to do what they need to do in this crisis that police officers may not be fully equipped to answer," Ellis said.
Stephens said there is still a long way to go in the process.
"Step one, you gotta find someone who can check all the boxes that you need checking, otherwise you are making a bad investment. So for example, you don't want somebody who can only be able to work from 8 to 4 because that's not going to cover everything that needs to be covered," said Stephens.
The Board also reviewed and offered recommendations to change some of the wording of the department's handcuff policy as well.
The board's next meeting will take place 6 p.m. Sept. 13 at City Hall.
