Police Chief W. H. ‘Skip’ Holbrook announces that Deputy Chief Melron Kelly has completed the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) National Executive Institute (NEI) program — a leadership development program for top law enforcement professionals in Quantico, Virginia.
The NEI was established in 1975 and is considered to be the ‘crown jewel’ of the FBI’s executive training initiatives. Topics learned include:
- Strategic leadership
- Image Management
- Officer Wellness
- Homeland Security
- Global Law Enforcement Challenges
Deputy Chief Kelly’s participation in NEI places him among an elite group of law enforcement leaders nationwide.
Kelly says, “Attending the NEI Program has reminded me of maintaining a habit of learning in my profession despite my tenure. As a law enforcement professional, my ongoing duty is to guide young officers, connect with seasoned veteran
s, and nurture existing relationships with citizens. The NEI training has afforded me opportunities to continue making those positive impacts.”
Deputy Chief Kelly’s Biography:
Deputy Chief Kelly has served with the Columbia Police Department since 1990. Before taking the law enforcement oath of office, he was a police cadet when he was 13 years old with aspirations of becoming a police officer.
This familiarity and commitment to serving the community through law enforcement has developed into leadership positions in the Narcotics Division, as an Investigator, before being promoted to Sergeant; a Lieutenant overseeing the Gang/Narcotics Unit; and a regional commander as Captain in the North Region.
Deputy Chief Kelly is a graduate of the Police Executive Research Forum’s (PERF) 74th Session’s Senior Management Institute for Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) National Academy’s 270th Session, the University of Louisville’s Southern Police Institute (SPI) 124th Session, Executive Police Leadership Program, and the 62nd Session of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Commanders Academy.
Kelly earned a Criminal Justice Degree from South Carolina State University and a Master’s in Justice Administration from the University of Louisville. He serves as a member of various community and social organizations including as President of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) Organization, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Sowing Seeds, Incorporated, Harmony Incorporated, and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated.