COLUMBIA — Columbia Assistant Police Chief Jill Schlude has been selected as the city’s next police chief, marking the first female chief in the history of the Columbia Police Department.
The announcement by City Manager De’Carlon Seewood came during a press conference Wednesday afternoon at City Hall.
“[Schlude] has proven [herself] as a strong leader and [her] ideas for the police department match those priorities that the community said they wanted,” Seewood said.
Schlude was welcomed with a standing ovation.
“I am humbled by the trust placed in me by city leadership, our department and the community,” Schlude said.
“Policing is a noble profession that requires dedication, integrity and a genuine commitment to public service. I want to assure you that I am fully committed to holding the highest standards of professionalism and accountability in leading our CPD team,” she continued.
Schlude has served as the assistant police chief since 2019 and has been with the department since 2005, serving as deputy chief of police, a police sergeant and a police officer. She earned her bachelor of arts in criminal justice administration from Columbia College and her masters in strategic leadership from Stephens College.
Schlude was the only candidate from Columbia. Other candidates included Nathaniel Clark, former public safety director and chief of police in Forest Park, Georgia; Dan Haley, a major in the Kansas City, Missouri, Human Resources Division; and Michael Zeller, deputy police chief in Greeley, Colorado.
“We’ve come a long way, so I appreciate it,” Schlude said. “I appreciate the city manager’s faith in me, and it’s not lost on me that hopefully other women can see that they can do this job as well.”
During the press conference, Mayor Barbara Buffaloe thanked the community for sharing their input over the last few months.
“As we…
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