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Command Staff

Chief W.H. “Skip” Holbrook

1 Justice Square
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 545-3510
[email protected]

Chief Holbrook’s Biography:

https://columbiapd.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/chief-holbrook-bio-1-31-23.pdf

Deputy Chief Melron Kelly

1 Justice Square
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 545-3509
[email protected]

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; a regional commander as Captain in the North Region. Deputy Chief Kelly is 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. Deputy Chief Kelly earned a Criminal Justice Degree from South Carolina State University and a Master’s Degree in Justice Administration from the University of Louisville. Deputy Chief Kelly serves as a member of various community and social organizations including as President of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) Organization, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Sowing Seeds, Incorporated, Harmony Incorporated, and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated.

 

 

Major Randy Martin

1 Justice Square
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 545-3507
[email protected]

Major Martin has served with the Columbia Police Department (CPD) since 1983. Before taking the law enforcement oath of office, he was a police cadet as a young adult with aspirations of becoming a police officer. Major has been the Director of the City of Columbia’s Homeland Security Department which encompasses the Joint Terrorism Task Force  Emergency Services & Special Operations, and the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc, (CALEA).  Major is certified in Homeland Security Level III Operations and has received an Advanced Supervisory certificate from Midlands Technical College.

Special Operations Bureau
Community Safety Officers
Special Events
Dignitary Protection
Real-Time Crime Center

Major George Drafts

1 Justice Square
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 545-3570
[email protected]

Major Drafts has served with the Columbia Police Department (CPD) since 1990. Drafts is a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) National Academy Session 275 and Violent Crimes Task Force representing CPD. Drafts has received commendations as an Associate and Board Member of non-profit organizations including Parenting Partners, Midlands Area Child Advocacy Center, and the South Carolina Crisis Negotiations Association due to his experience in the Special Victims Unit (SVU).  Drafts has extensive knowledge of Organized Crime & Narcotics enforcement and Crisis Negotiations. Drafts has completed numerous executive-level and specialized training courses both locally and abroad. Major Drafts earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Columbia College.

Administrative Bureau
Records Unit
Human Resources
Recruiting Unit
Staff Development / Training
Planning & Research / Grants
Crime Analysis
Supply / Equipment
Fleet / Facilities Management
Crime Lab
Evidence / Property Unit

Major Chris White

Community Services Bureau
1 Justice Square
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 545-3542
[email protected]

Major White has served with the Columbia Police Department (CPD) since 1995.  White is a recipient of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) LEEDA Trilogy Award and has attended the FBI National Academy’s 246th Session and the Police Executive Research Forum’s (PERF) Senior Management Institute for Police (SMIP) 78the Session. Major White has extensive training and knowledge in Violent Crime Gang Task Force and Organized Crime & Narcotics awareness and intelligence-led policing. White earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Therapeutic Recreation from Benedict College and a Master’s Degree in Management and Leadership from Webster University.

Assigned Units

Traffic Safety Unit
School Crossing Guards
K-9 Unit
School Resource Officers (SRO)
Crime Prevention
A.C.E. (Assisting Columbia’s Elderly)
Court Services Unit
Telephone Response Unit (TRU)
Transport Drivers
Police Cadets

Major Christopher “Chris” Roberts

Patrol Operations Bureau
1 Justice Square
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 545-3589
[email protected]

Major Roberts has served with the Columbia Police Department (CPD) since 1997.  Roberts is a recipient of the 143rd Session of the University of Louisville’s Southern Police Institute (SPI) Administrative Officer’s Course, received the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) LEEDA Trilogy Award, and was the recipient of the CPD’s 2020 Medal of Valor. Roberts is also a member of the City of Columbia’s Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative Innovation Track Program. He has extensive training in CPD’s Special Weapons & Tactics Unit as a Team Leader and was part of the  CPD K-9 Team, Community Response Team, and Mobile Field Force. Roberts earned an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Midlands Technical College and a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Columbia College.

Patrol Bureau
North Region
Southeast Region
Metro Region
West Region
Code Enforcement Unit

Captain Jack Sheard

(Photograph to be updated)

Criminal Investigations Bureau 
1 Justice Square
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 545-3583
[email protected]

Captain Sheard has served with the Columbia Police Department since 1997. Sheard is a recipient of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) LEEDA Trilogy Award, has attended the South Carolina Narcotics Commanders School, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Commanders School hosted by the United States Attorney’s Office – District of SC, and completed the Command College hosted by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. Sheard has extensive knowledge of Organized Crime & Narcotics, High-Intensity Drug Trafficking, and Midlands Gang Task Force enforcement. Sheard earned an Associate of Arts Degree from Tallahassee Community College, a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminology from Florida State University, and served in the United States Marine Corps Reserves having been deployed overseas for Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

ASSIGNED UNITS
Violent Crimes Against Persons (VCAP) Unit
Special Victims Unit (SVU)
Property Crimes Unit (PCU)
Victim Services Unit
Crime Scene Investigations (CSI) Unit
Polygraph Unit
Cold Case UnitOrganized Crime & Narcotics (OCN) Unit
Midlands Gang Task Force (MGTF)
Crime Gun Intelligence Unit (CGIU)                                                      Federal Task Forces

Captain John “J.P.” Williams

Staff Development 
1 Justice Square
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 545-3391
[email protected]

Captain Williams has served with the Columbia Police Department since 1996. Williams is a recipient of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) LEEDA Trilogy Award and attended the agency’s Carolina Command College. Williams is currently the CPD’s SWAT Commander and has extensive knowledge in tactical training, executive dignitary protection, high-risk warrant service, conflict resolution, and de-escalation training. Williams is also an armorer and firearms instructor. He attended Columbia College and the University of South Carolina.

ASSIGNED UNITS

Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Commander
Records Unit
Crime Analysis
Human Resources/Personnel Unit
Grants Unit

Captain Cynthia Waggoner

Metro Region
1800 Main Street
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 545-3970
[email protected]

Captain Waggoner has served with the Columbia Police Department (CPD) since 2005. Waggoner is a recipient of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) LEEDA Trilogy Award. She has attended the International Association of Chief’s of Police Leadership Conference and is a member of the National Association of Women in Law Enforcement Executives. She has extensive training as a K-9 handler and as a unit supervisor /leader and graduated from the Custom Canine Unlimited Trainer’s Course in Gainesville, Georgia, community-policing initiatives. Waggoner was the recipient of the CPD’S 2006 Rookie of the Year and was awarded the Medal of Valor. Waggoner earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from the University of South Carolina.

Captain Brian Bell

West Region
690 Club Road
Columbia, SC 29212
(803) 749-5830
[email protected]

Captain Bell has served with the Columbia Police Department (CPD) since 2001. Bell received the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) LEEDA Trilogy Award and attended the FBI’s Carolina Command College, the Burden of Command College,  South Carolina’s Law Enforcement Commanders School, the University of Louisville’s Southern Police Institute (SPI) Administrative Officer’s School and additional leadership development schools and training sessions.  He has extensive training in Mobile Field Force as an Executive Officer, Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) as a Team Leader and chemical munitions as an instructor. Bell also received the Moyer Award for finishing top in a firearms safety class. Bell held several ranks while serving in the United States Marine Corps for more than a decade and was deployed overseas for Operation Desert Shield and Storm – Combat Action and Operation Restore Hope – Combat Action, Mogadishu Somalia, and Operation Iraqi Freedom – Combat Action as a member of the United States Army National Guard.

Captain Darring Hicks

North Region
3905 Ensor Avenue
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 401-8810
[email protected]

Captain Hicks has served with the Columbia Police Department (CPD) since 1991. Hicks is the recipient of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) LEEDA Trilogy Award and has attended the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Supervisor, Command, and Executive Leadership Colleges.  He has also attended the Charleston, S.C. Police Department’s Command College. Hicks has extensive training in and knowledge of crisis negotiations, special operations, community policing, school resource responsibilities as a Supervisor, traffic safety, special event planning and safety, and K-9 handler and training.  Hicks holds a criminal earned a Criminal Justice degree from Livingston College and has served in the United States Army National Guard.

Captain Paul “P.J.” Blendowski

Southeast Region

South Location
2132 Devine Street
Columbia, SC 29205
(803) 737-5880

East Location
446 Spears Creek Church Road
Columbia, SC 29045
(803) 737-5880
[email protected]

Captain Blendowski has served with the Columbia Police Department (CPD) since 2002. Blendowski received the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) LEEDA Trilogy Award, attended the FBI’s National Academy’s 283rd Session, and attended the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s Command College. Blendowski has extensive training as a K-9 handler and unit supervisor/leader. He also has extensive knowledge of community policing, and law enforcement leadership including supervisory, command, and executive roles. Blendowski earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice degree from the University of South Carolina.

Captain Michael Blair

Community Services Bureau
1745 Busby Street
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 545-3986
[email protected]

Captain Blair has served with the Columbia Police Department (CPD) since 1989. Before taking the law enforcement oath of office, he was a police cadet as a young adult with aspirations of becoming a police officer. Blair is the recipient of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) LEEDA Trilogy Award and has attended the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Executive Command College. Blair has extensive training in Special Weapons & Tactics (SWAT), National Crime Information Center (NCIC) technology, Blair earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from Benedict College and graduated with honors – Magna Cum Laude).

Captain Kellie Yates

Office of the Chief  – Community Events
1 Justice Square
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 545-3585
[email protected]

Captain Yates has served with the Columbia Police Department since 1999. Captain Yates is a recipient of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) LEEDA Trilogy Award. She is a graduate of the Southern Police Institute (SPI) 47th Administrative Officers Course. Captain Yates has completed numerous courses in leadership and is affiliated with several professional organizations. Yates is the 2023 Treasurer for the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) Organization. Captain Yates earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from South Carolina State University and a Master’s Degree in Management from Southern Wesleyan University.

Captain Robert Calby

Administrative Bureau
1 Justice Square
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 413-2594
[email protected]

Captain Calby has served with the Columbia Police Department (CPD) since 2006.  He received the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) LEEDA Trilogy Award,  has attended the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Supervisor, Command, Executive Leadership Institutes, and has attended the FBI’s National Academy’s 280th Session. Calby has extensive training in and knowledge of community-oriented policing, first-line, and diversity-centered leadership, Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) as a Team Leader, firearms safety, officer safety and survival, conflict resolution, and law enforcement technology programs and logistics. Calby graduated with honors from  Columbia College (Summa Cum Laude) and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice.

David Hatcher

Housing Official – Code Enforcement Division
920-A Hemlock Drive
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 545-3444
[email protected]

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