City of Columbia police chief search

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Final selection:

The City of Columbia has announced Jill Schlude as the City’s next police chief. City Manager De’Carlon Seewood made the announcement during a press conference Nov. 15.

“Jill was the standout candidate during the search process for Columbia’s next chief,” City Manager De’Carlon Seewood said. “Community members representing business, public safety, education and more, identified her strong vision for the Columbia Police Department and her ideas for addressing those issues most important to our residents as the reason she will be the best fit for the next chief.”

Schlude has served as the assistant police chief in Columbia, Missouri since 2019. Prior to being assistant police chief, she worked as the deputy chief of police, a police sergeant, and a police officer in the same department. She has been with the Columbia Police Department since 2005.

Schlude’s education includes a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice Administration from Columbia College and a Master in Strategic Leadership from Stephens College. Her additional professional development includes the Senior Management Institute for Police (SMIP), Boston University, sponsored by PERF.

“Stepping into the role of Police Chief is not just a promotion; it's a commitment to safeguarding our community, administering justice fairly, and leading our dedicated team with unwavering integrity. I am equally honored and humbled at the opportunity to serve my community in this important role,” said incoming Police Chief Schlude.

Schlude’s annual salary will be $165,000. She will be sworn in at the Dec. 4 City Council meeting at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 701 E. Broadway.


Final candidates:

With the help of Public Sector Search and Consulting, Inc., the City of Columbia selected four final candidates in the search for Columbia’s next police chief.


Nathaniel Clark, former public safety director and chief of police, Forest Park, Georgia

Nathaniel Clark served as the public safety director and chief of police in Forest Park, Georgia from 2020 to 2023. Prior to being public safety director and chief of police, he worked as the interim city manager and chief of police in Forest Park.

Before working at the City of Forest Park, he worked as the chief of police at the Fort Smith, Arkansas Police Department from 2017 to 2019, and the deputy chief of the Albany, Georgia Police Department from 2012 to 2016.

Clark’s education includes a Master of Arts in Public Administration from Webster University in Jacksonville, Arkansas, and a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from the University of Pine Bluff in Pine Bluff, Arkansas.

Additional professional development includes the following:

  • FBI National Academy

  • Senior Management Institute for Police (SMIP), Boston University, sponsored by PERF

  • Chief Executive Leadership, Southern Police Institute (SPI), Louisville, KY


Dan Haley, major, Kansas City, Missouri

Dan Haley has served as a major in the Human Resources Division in Kansas City, Missouri since 2023. Prior to being a major in the human resources division, he worked as a major in the Research and Development Division, the Logistical Support Division, the South Patrol Division, the Special Assignment Office of General Counsel, Staff Inspection, and as a captain/assistant division commander for central patrol, diversity commander, assistant division commander for north patrol, budget unit commander, employment unit commander, sergeant and police officer.

His education includes a Juris Doctor from the University of Missouri, Kansas City School of Law, a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Missouri, Kansas City, a Master of Public Administration in Public Affairs/Government and Business Relations from Park University, and a Bachelor of Science in Personal Financial Management Services from the University of Missouri, Columbia.

Additional professional development includes the following:

  • National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives Mentoring Potential CEOs Program

  • FBI National Academy


Jill Schlude, assistant police chief, Columbia, Missouri

Jill Schlude has served as the assistant police chief in Columbia, Missouri since 2019. Prior to being assistant police chief, she worked as the deputy chief of police, a police sergeant, and a police officer in the same department. She has been with the Columbia Police Department since 2005.

Schlude’s education includes a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice Administration from Columbia College and a Master in Strategic Leadership from Stephens College.

Additional professional development includes the following:

  • Senior Management Institute for Police (SMIP), Boston University, sponsored by PERF


Michael Zeller, deputy police chief Greeley, Colorado


Michael Zeller has served as the deputy police chief in Greeley, Colorado since 2018. Prior to being deputy chief of police, he worked as a police commander, a police sergeant, and a police officer/detective in the same department. Before working at the Greeley Police Department, he worked as a deputy sheriff at the Grand County Sheriff’s Office from 1998 to 2001, and the Denver Sheriff’s Department from 1996 to 1998.

Zeller’s education includes a Master of Public Administration Degree from the University of Colorado Denver School of Public Affairs and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice at Metropolitan State University of Denver.

Additional professional development includes the following:

  • Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command


Search overview:
Public Sector Search and Consulting held nine forums with stakeholders, including a community forum on Saturday, July 8 at the Activity & Recreation Center, 1701 W. Ash Street. During the forums, stakeholders and community members had the opportunity to provide input on the qualities that make an ideal candidate and what they hope the next police chief will achieve.

The City believes that input from both the community and department employees is crucial to finding the right person to effectively lead the Columbia Police Department. Citizens were asked to provide feedback in a survey.

This survey sought to understand the expectations and desired experiences, attributes, and qualifications respondents would like to see in potential candidates.








Final selection:

The City of Columbia has announced Jill Schlude as the City’s next police chief. City Manager De’Carlon Seewood made the announcement during a press conference Nov. 15.

“Jill was the standout candidate during the search process for Columbia’s next chief,” City Manager De’Carlon Seewood said. “Community members representing business, public safety, education and more, identified her strong vision for the Columbia Police Department and her ideas for addressing those issues most important to our residents as the reason she will be the best fit for the next chief.”

Schlude has served as the assistant police chief in Columbia, Missouri since 2019. Prior to being assistant police chief, she worked as the deputy chief of police, a police sergeant, and a police officer in the same department. She has been with the Columbia Police Department since 2005.

Schlude’s education includes a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice Administration from Columbia College and a Master in Strategic Leadership from Stephens College. Her additional professional development includes the Senior Management Institute for Police (SMIP), Boston University, sponsored by PERF.

“Stepping into the role of Police Chief is not just a promotion; it's a commitment to safeguarding our community, administering justice fairly, and leading our dedicated team with unwavering integrity. I am equally honored and humbled at the opportunity to serve my community in this important role,” said incoming Police Chief Schlude.

Schlude’s annual salary will be $165,000. She will be sworn in at the Dec. 4 City Council meeting at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 701 E. Broadway.


Final candidates:

With the help of Public Sector Search and Consulting, Inc., the City of Columbia selected four final candidates in the search for Columbia’s next police chief.


Nathaniel Clark, former public safety director and chief of police, Forest Park, Georgia

Nathaniel Clark served as the public safety director and chief of police in Forest Park, Georgia from 2020 to 2023. Prior to being public safety director and chief of police, he worked as the interim city manager and chief of police in Forest Park.

Before working at the City of Forest Park, he worked as the chief of police at the Fort Smith, Arkansas Police Department from 2017 to 2019, and the deputy chief of the Albany, Georgia Police Department from 2012 to 2016.

Clark’s education includes a Master of Arts in Public Administration from Webster University in Jacksonville, Arkansas, and a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from the University of Pine Bluff in Pine Bluff, Arkansas.

Additional professional development includes the following:

  • FBI National Academy

  • Senior Management Institute for Police (SMIP), Boston University, sponsored by PERF

  • Chief Executive Leadership, Southern Police Institute (SPI), Louisville, KY


Dan Haley, major, Kansas City, Missouri

Dan Haley has served as a major in the Human Resources Division in Kansas City, Missouri since 2023. Prior to being a major in the human resources division, he worked as a major in the Research and Development Division, the Logistical Support Division, the South Patrol Division, the Special Assignment Office of General Counsel, Staff Inspection, and as a captain/assistant division commander for central patrol, diversity commander, assistant division commander for north patrol, budget unit commander, employment unit commander, sergeant and police officer.

His education includes a Juris Doctor from the University of Missouri, Kansas City School of Law, a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Missouri, Kansas City, a Master of Public Administration in Public Affairs/Government and Business Relations from Park University, and a Bachelor of Science in Personal Financial Management Services from the University of Missouri, Columbia.

Additional professional development includes the following:

  • National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives Mentoring Potential CEOs Program

  • FBI National Academy


Jill Schlude, assistant police chief, Columbia, Missouri

Jill Schlude has served as the assistant police chief in Columbia, Missouri since 2019. Prior to being assistant police chief, she worked as the deputy chief of police, a police sergeant, and a police officer in the same department. She has been with the Columbia Police Department since 2005.

Schlude’s education includes a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice Administration from Columbia College and a Master in Strategic Leadership from Stephens College.

Additional professional development includes the following:

  • Senior Management Institute for Police (SMIP), Boston University, sponsored by PERF


Michael Zeller, deputy police chief Greeley, Colorado


Michael Zeller has served as the deputy police chief in Greeley, Colorado since 2018. Prior to being deputy chief of police, he worked as a police commander, a police sergeant, and a police officer/detective in the same department. Before working at the Greeley Police Department, he worked as a deputy sheriff at the Grand County Sheriff’s Office from 1998 to 2001, and the Denver Sheriff’s Department from 1996 to 1998.

Zeller’s education includes a Master of Public Administration Degree from the University of Colorado Denver School of Public Affairs and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice at Metropolitan State University of Denver.

Additional professional development includes the following:

  • Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command


Search overview:
Public Sector Search and Consulting held nine forums with stakeholders, including a community forum on Saturday, July 8 at the Activity & Recreation Center, 1701 W. Ash Street. During the forums, stakeholders and community members had the opportunity to provide input on the qualities that make an ideal candidate and what they hope the next police chief will achieve.

The City believes that input from both the community and department employees is crucial to finding the right person to effectively lead the Columbia Police Department. Citizens were asked to provide feedback in a survey.

This survey sought to understand the expectations and desired experiences, attributes, and qualifications respondents would like to see in potential candidates.








Page last updated: 15 Nov 2023, 03:24 PM