William H. “Skip” Holbrook has served as Chief of the Columbia Police Department since April 11, 2014. He has more than 35 years of law enforcement experience, including more than 19 years as a chief of police. Throughout his career, he has led public safety organizations with a focus on violent crime reduction, intelligence-led policing, organizational accountability, and community partnerships. His experience spans local, state, and federal law enforcement operations, investigations, executive leadership, and public safety strategy.
Chief Holbrook began his law enforcement career in 1987 with the Charlotte Police Department, where he served in patrol, vice, narcotics, and investigative assignments. In 1991, he joined the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) as a Special Agent and later advanced to Assistant Special Agent in Charge. During his tenure with SBI, he supervised multi-jurisdictional violent crime investigations, coordinated federal, state, and local task force operations, and held leadership positions on the Special Response Team responsible for tactical operations and high-risk apprehensions. He also developed and instructed advanced training programs in firearms, SWAT operations, and narcotics enforcement and contributed to the development of a nationally recognized violent crime task force model involving local, county, state, and federal partners.
In 2007, Chief Holbrook was appointed Chief of Police for the Huntington Police Department in West Virginia. During his seven-year tenure, he led an agency serving approximately 50,000 residents and managed a $12 million budget. Under his leadership, the department achieved a 27-year low in reported crime, implemented the Drug Market Intervention (DMI) strategy that produced a sustained 50 percent reduction in violent and drug-related crime, expanded federal partnerships with the DEA, FBI, and ATF, secured more than $2.8 million in grant funding, and established key operational units including Digital Forensics, Crime Analysis, and the Office of Professional Standards.
Chief Holbrook was appointed Chief of the Columbia Police Department on April 11, 2014. He currently leads an organization of approximately 500 sworn and non-sworn personnel with an annual budget of $53 million, providing police services to a city of approximately 145,000 residents. Under his leadership, the department has implemented evidence-based crime reduction strategies, including Ceasefire Columbia, established a Crime Gun Intelligence Unit, and expanded intelligence-led policing initiatives that have contributed to sustained reductions in violent crime. He also led the establishment of the department’s Real Time Crime Center, implementation of ShotSpotter technology, and development of the Pathways Team, a co-responder model that integrates mental health professionals into crisis response efforts. During his tenure, the Columbia Police Department achieved both CALEA national accreditation and state accreditation while strengthening accountability, transparency, operational effectiveness, and community engagement.
In addition to his local responsibilities, Chief Holbrook has served in numerous leadership roles at the state and national levels. He served as President of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers’ Association (SCLEOA) in 2023 and currently serves as 2nd Vice President of the South Carolina Police Chiefs Association. In 2024, Governor Henry McMaster appointed him to the South Carolina Criminal Justice Training Council. In 2025, he was appointed to serve on the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Administrator’s Executive Advisory Board. He also serves on the Atlanta-Carolinas HIDTA Executive Board and has participated in the U.S. Conference of Mayors Police Reform and Racial Justice Working Group and the South Carolina Governor’s Opioid Emergency Response Team.
Chief Holbrook has received numerous professional and community recognitions throughout his career. His honors include the Allen University Alumni Association Award of Valor (2024), Santee Cooper Excellence in Law Enforcement Award (2024), South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers’ Association Dominion Award of Excellence (2021), Strom Thurmond Award for Excellence in Law Enforcement (2018), NAACP Columbia Branch Community Service Award (2023), Columbia Chamber of Commerce Public Servant of the Year Award (2022), Greater Columbia Community Relations Council Milton Kimpson Service Award (2022), and the Urban League President’s Award (2025).
Chief Holbrook holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Marshall University and a Master of Business Administration from Pfeiffer University. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, FBI National Executive Institute, Senior Management Institute for Police (PERF), University of Virginia Senior Executive Institute, and the Naval Postgraduate School Executive Leaders Program. He has also completed advanced law enforcement leadership, management, and executive development programs throughout his career.
Chief Holbrook remains active in numerous professional organizations, including the International Association of Chiefs of Police, South Carolina Police Chiefs Association, FBI National Academy Associates, National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, Police Executive Research Forum, South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers’ Association, Atlanta-Carolinas HIDTA Executive Board, and the Columbia NAACP. His career reflects a continued commitment to public safety, professional standards, organizational excellence, and collaborative partnerships that improve the quality of life in the communities served.
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