Columbia Police Chief Selection (Lexington, Jackson: appointed, live in, military)

[johngolf]

Police Chief finalists. Your opinions.

Overall I think it is a very poor selection. My reasons:

1. One is primarily military security. Sounds like a great MP but I say this has little to do with running an urban/civilian police force and he should not be in the final 5. Might well hire him to run Fort Jackson MP's but not Columbia's PD.

2. One left his last position under a cloud of accusations. His answers might could redeem him but he more then likely would not have made my final 5 cut for this reason alone.

I say 2 of the 5 are strong but being only 2 of the 5 what does this say about the qualifications/criteria they used to select such?

I am disappointed that Santiago is not in the final group. I believe he is at least or more qualified then many of the finalists. I think Wilson and Baker (City Council hired bean counters) stacked the deck against him.

I believe the city has had 6 or7 police chiefs in the last 8 years. Keep this up and they will have 7 or 8 in the last 9 years. I do expect this will happen due to who/how the PD reports to (the bean counters), what can one expect.

I do not live in Columbia. I live in Lexington but Columbia is the heart of the Midlands and a place I spent a lot of time in. If not for Columbia, the midlands would be farms so I say what happens in Columbia effects the entire Midlands and we should all be concerned.

[Joe the Photog]

I think the exclusion of the interim chief is a fabulous decision. I can't argue with your bean counter theory, but the other problem the others seem to have is none of them were true outsiders. Part of me thinks the last thing the new chief needs is to KNOW anyone in this city.

[johngolf]

Joe

We can agree to disagree on Santiago. My problems are still the same:

1. Bean counters (hired by City Council) in the reporting chain.

2. Of the 5 (now maybe down to 4) candidates is are they the best one could choose from?

I do admire and respect the "military" guy finalist, but what does he know about running an urban/non-military police force? Based on him making the finalist, Santiago aside, I feel the selection process was not as realistic/good as it should have been.