The Columbia Police Department filled several positions during a special meeting Tuesday evening after a recent round of resignations.
Chief Michael Kelly addressed the board with 10 employment suggestions, which were all unanimously accepted.
“We’re budgeted for 25 full-time employees, and with the new hires this will bring us up to 21. We have a path going forward to get us to 25 to be able to provide even greater service to the city,” he said. “We believe we can get to 25 in next three to four months. We’re not going to rush. We’re going to make sure we get the right people.”
The board approved the following hires:
- Clint Hedgepeth as a full-time certified patrolman;
- Larry Speights as a part-time certified officer
- Brandon Livingston, who is full-time certified but also works as a teacher and coach at Jefferson Middle School so he will work part time
- Alan Pickett, who is also full-time certified but will work part time.
The following transfers were also accepted:
- Davey Bass, who is transitioning from part time to full time;
- Justin Corley, who is transitioning from part time to full time;
- Roderick Frelix, who is currently with Columbia Fire but will make the switch to law enforcement and will go to the academy in April;
- Nathan Guy, who is currently a captain with Columbia Fire, will join as a reserve officer;
- Michael Tolley, who will become a full-time animal control and ordinance officer after working as a part-time animal control officer.
Delisaer Horne will also be joining as a part-time dispatcher, and Kelly said he hopes she becomes the next full-time dispatcher.
The board also made some personnel moves in other departments, approving several hires. Vicki Nelson will be joining as the deputy city clerk to Maria Temples. Mytayzah Robinson, a high school student, will work with the city on a part-time basis. Dionne Kyle was also approved to replace Andrea Porter, who is now an advertising consultant with The Columbian-Progress.
The board met for a special meeting shortly after 5 p.m. Tuesday to discuss the personnel moves and was wrapped up before 6.
