Columbia police captain named as interim chief

COLUMBIA — Capt. Thomas G. Dresner will be the interim chief of the Columbia Police Department, effective July 2.

City Manager Bill Watkins announced Dresner’s appointment Friday morning. Dresner’s salary will be $79,965, according to a news release. Outgoing Chief Randy Boehm’s salary was $103,572, the Missourian reported in May. Boehm will become manager of security of MU Health Care on July 7.

“(Dresner) is respected by his colleagues and the community,” Watkins said in the release. “Most important, he is committed to working actively to improve an already good police department. I wanted someone who will be more than a caretaker until I name a permanent chief.”

Dresner has worked 24 years in the Police Department and 10 years as captain. Before his appointment, Dresner was the department’s most senior captain, according to the release.

Dresner earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from MU in 1982.

Missourian reporter Marty Swant contributed to this report.

Highlights from Dresner’s professional experience:

October 1999 to present

Commander of Special Weapons and Tactics team. Tactical commander on scene for 60-officer SWAT contingent that managed the Neo-Nazi march at MU in March 2007

October 1998 to present

Captain, Commander of Administrative Support Division. Supervision of all support services for law enforcement agency of 152 sworn; command of Computer Operations, Evidence Unit, Fleet Operations, Equipment Custodian, Records Units, station masters, and typists; supervision of $17 million annual budget.

December 1996 to October 1998

Sergeant, Supervisor of Personnel Development Unit. Background investigation for all recruit officers, orientation and assignment of recruit officer field training and orientation coordination and implementation of in-service training for all officers and inter-jurisdictional training coordination; supervisor of all training for all departmental employees; field training officer selection process and coordination of all departmental instructors.

1993 to 1998

Arrest Team Leader of Special Tactics and Response Team. In charge of six-man squad assigned to inner perimeter and suspect control in hostage and barricade suspect situations.

1993 to 1998

Training Coordinator of Special Tactics and Response Team. Monthly training scenarios for 23-member team; firearms instructor with emphasis on special weapons; building entry, mass arrest, riot and civil disorder control, vehicle assaults, tactical team movement.

1984 to 1993

Police Officer. Field training officer, firearms instructor, armorer, property unit detective, trainer in intoxicated driver detection.