CPD staffing growth could lead to new detective and patrol units, chief says
(Editor's note, 6/9: The story now reflects the correct rank of Matt Nichols.)
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Police leaders see a need for more detective units at the Columbia Police Department.
Police Chief Jill Schlude said she hopes to create a new unit dedicated to investigating auto thefts and thefts from cars as part of a long-term strategy to bring CPD to a staffing level she and command staff see as appropriate. Schlude said many of those vehicle-related cases are being taken by officers on patrol, but some are not handed off to detectives for follow-ups.
“We can’t assign out every case,” Schlude said. “Ideally, we’d like to give victims enough services that when your house is burglarized, it’s always assigned out to a detective. We just don’t have the capacity to do that.”
CPD has a current authorized force of 194 officers. Schlude said 180 of those are currently filled. Of the 14 openings, two of them are sergeant positions in patrol, four in the Traffic Unit, two in Criminal Investigation Division, two in the Street Crimes Unit and in two in the Vice/Narcotics/Organized Crime Unit and two more in patrol.
The department’s detective bureau is made up of three overall sections - crimes against people, property crime and a special victims unit, which focuses on things like crimes involving children and sex crimes. Schlude said the detective positions have been held open since she became chief in 2023 to ensure patrol -- the officers answering 911 calls -- has enough people.
Sgt. Matt Nichols, head of the Columbia Police Officers Association, said the group feels a need to get more people in investigative roles at CPD.
“To take a look at cold case homicides, and sometimes active homicides that we need more manpower to thoroughly investigate,” Nichols said.
CPD’s command staff requested 51 new sworn officers in its fiscal year 2026 budget request. Schlude said she expected adding so many staff members to cost more than $8 million annually -- paying for the costs of salary, benefits and equipment.
The department currently has a budget of $34.9 million. While the department doesn’t expect to get 51 new officer positions in one year, Schlude said it at least makes it clear to the community and City Council what CPD thinks it needs.
““How do [council members] know what the police department needs if we don’t tell them?” Schlude said. “And so we got to all figure out a plan to make this happen, and I think that’s one of the reasons why they want to hear from citizens about what they want to prioritize.”
The growth of CPD goes beyond just hiring people. Schlude also sees a need for the department to grow beyond its current headquarters downtown.
ABC 17 News takes a look at that issue in a special report airing Wednesday after the NBA Finals on KMIZ.
