F.O.P.

Lodge #26
The COLUMBIA POLICE OFFICERS ASSOCIATON

For Immediate Release: Contact: CPOADirector@Gmail.com

Friday, December 28, 2018 Dale Roberts 573-355-3513

Our Long Ordeal is Over.

For over six years, the Columbia Police Officers Association and our members have been
well aware of the problems with our Chief of Police. The recent revelations about his habits
came as no surprise to us.

Sadly, our concerns were consistently ignored. We spoke to the previous City Manager
and we spoke to the City Council. Our concerns fell on deaf ears and our documentation was
ignored.

During this time our recruiting has fallen off, turnover has been constant, retention of
experienced officers has been non-existent, and morale within the Police Department remained
toxic.

It took the leadership of Mayor Treece and Interim City Manager John Glascock to
finally address the problem.

We suspect it will take time to restore the Columbia Police Department to the position of
prominence it once enjoyed. We look forward to making that change while working with the
interim City Manager and the Interim Chief, as well as the individuals who will fill those
positions on a permanent basis.

No matter what challenge they may face, our officers continue to serve the citizens every
day and will always stand in harm’s way to protect us from evil.

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