William H. “Skip” Holbrook was appointed the role of Chief of the Columbia Police Department on April 11, 2014. Chief Holbrook has over three decades of law enforcement experience, including a distinguished 16-year tenure as a police chief. Chief Holbrook is grounded in the principles of community engagement and evidence-based policing.
Under Chief Holbrook’s visionary leadership, the Columbia Police Department has undergone transformative organizational and operational reforms, earning commendation from the U.S.
Department of Justice for its commitment to 21st Century policing strategies. His commitment and dedication has positioned the department to receive two prestigious S.C. Law Enforcement
Officers Association (SCLEOA) Dominion Awards of Excellence and achieve national accreditation from the Commission for Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA).
Chief Holbrook’s impact extends far beyond departmental accomplishments. Recognized as the 2023 South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers’ Association (SCLEOA) President, he
epitomizes community service, having received the 2023 NAACP – Columbia Branch Community Service Award, the 2022 Columbia Chamber of Commerce Public Servant of the Year Award,
and the Greater Columbia Community Relations Council’s Milton Kimpson Service Award.
In addition, Chief Holbrook was appointed to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Training Council pursuant to Governor McMaster’s decision in early 2024. These accolades underscore
his commitment to fostering a sense of unity and shared responsibility to improve the safety and quality of life for City of Columbia citizens.
As a key advocate for police reform and racial justice, Chief Holbrook was appointed to the United States Conference of Mayors (USCM) National Police Reform and Racial Justice Working Group in 2020. His influence in law enforcement was further recognized in 2018 when he received the Strom Thurmond Award for Excellence in Law Enforcement.
Chief Holbrook’s journey in law enforcement commenced in 1987 with the Charlotte Police Department, leading to a distinguished career with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI). Before joining the Columbia Police Department, he served as the Chief of Police for the Huntington, West Virginia Police Department, demonstrating his commitment to serving diverse communities.
Educationally, Chief Holbrook holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Marshall University and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Pfeiffer University. He is an alumnus of several prestigious programs, including the FBI National Academy, the Police Executive Research Forum’s (PERF) Senior Management Institute for Police, the FBI’s National Executive Institute, the University of Virginia’s Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service’s Senior Executive Institute, and the Naval Post Graduate School’s Homeland Security Executive Leaders Program.
Active on various executive boards, Chief Holbrook continues to contribute to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers’ Association (SCLEOA), United States Attorney’s Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee (LECC), Atlanta-Carolinas HIDTA, Turn 90, and The Cooperative Ministries. He maintains membership in prominent organizations such as the South Carolina Police Chiefs’ Association, International Association of Chiefs of Police, FBI National Academy Associates, National Executive Institute Association, Columbia Chapter of NAACP, and the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE).
Chief Holbrook’s commitment to addressing societal challenges is further evident in his role as a member of the SC Governor’s Opioid Emergency Response Team. Chief Holbrook’s unwavering dedication to fostering collaboration within the department
and with the broader community, underscores his belief that “Together we are Columbia.”
Through his exemplary leadership, Chief Holbrook not only shapes the future of law enforcement but also strengthens the fabric of the Columbia community, leaving an enduring legacy of service, unity, and progress.
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