Schlude talks policies, staffing during first Columbia Police Review Board meeting as chief of police
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Jill Schlude attended her first Columbia Police Review Board meeting as the city's police chief on Wednesday evening.
Schlude described being grateful to the board, adding that she feels it's important for both parties to be able to collaboratively work on issues.
During the meeting, board members asked Schlude various questions regarding what plans she has in her new role. Despite board members not discussing changes to police policies during Wednesday night's meeting, members expressed curiosity about Schlude's take.
According to Schlude, the Columbia Police Department is looking to move forward with a professional standards bureau that was previously discussed under former chief Geoff Jones. The group would consist of internal affairs, policy and research.
Schlude noted the bureau will be presented to the Columbia City Council on Tuesday.
The CPRB has addressed the CPD’s use-of-force policy before and a “gray area” -- as described by Columbia Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer D’Andre Thompson in September -- was discussed at a September meeting. CPD previously said changes to the policy could not be made until a new chief was hired.
Schlude was officially sworn in as chief of police Dec 4. after being named as the new chief in November following Geoff Jones' retirement in August.
In September, those who attended suggested clarifying section 300.2 of the use-of-force policy which reads:
“The decision to use force requires careful attention to facts and circumstances of each particular case, including the severity of the crime at issue.”
The proportion of force was a concern brought up by some of those who attended the September meeting. Schlude said she was unaware of that specific discussion, but that she knows she will need time to review what was discussed when Matt Stephens took over as interim chief.
"We're going to have to go through everything that kind of happened in that period from I think August to December when I took over, and see what things we need..we need to look over and make recommendations on," Schlude said.
Board members also questioned how Schlude plans to handle staffing within the department.
According to Schlude, as of Wednesday night, she had made her first three hires. She is hoping to hire an additional three people the following day. Schlude also said the department intends to move the testing portion of the application process online by the beginning of February.
Making the switch, along with making the application process more personable will allow for better recruitment within the department, Schlude said.
"It's important to me to make people feel welcome, that we care about their success through the process, and that we're here to help them understand it, because it is a big long, arduous process," Schlude said.
