Interviews for new police chief pushed back until after Christmas

COLUMBIA — The hectic holiday season has pushed back the timeline for selecting Columbia's new police chief, Director of Human Resources Margrace Buckler said. The search process was originally supposed to be completed by Jan. 1.

The Police Chief Search Advisory Committee will meet on Dec. 11 to narrow down the long list of possible candidates for Columbia's police chief vacancy. Atlanta-based Slavin Management Consultants has been preparing the list over the past couple of months and has looked at candidates both locally and nationwide.

Buckler said they will try to narrow the list down to just the best-of-the-best.

"I would think that five (people) or less would be manageable," she said. "But it all depends on the applicants we get."

The final list of candidates, who will be brought to Columbia for interviews, and actual interview dates will be available after Christmas, Buckler said.