Jill Schlude ’15 Named Columbia’s First Female Police Chief
In a historic moment for Columbia, Missouri, Stephens College alumna Jill Schlude ‘15 has been named the city’s next police chief, making her the first woman to ever hold the position. The announcement during a press conference at City Hall, where Schlude received a standing ovation from community members and city officials.
“I’m humbled by the trust placed in me by the city leadership, our department, and the community,” Schlude said. “Policing is a noble profession that requires dedication, integrity, and a genuine commitment to public service. I want to assure you that I am fully committed to upholding the highest standards of professionalism and accountability.”
Schlude, who has been with the Columbia Police Department (CPD) for 18 years, has served as assistant chief since 2019. She was one of four finalists for the position, ultimately selected after an extensive hiring process that included nine community forums, multiple panel interviews, and feedback from over 1,000 residents.
Her appointment was met with praise from city leaders, including Mayor Barbara Buffaloe, who highlighted the significance of representation. “Fifty-one percent of Columbia’s population is female,” Buffaloe said. “Representation in all of our city departments is important to me.” Fifth Ward Councilperson Don Waterman echoed this sentiment, calling Schlude’s appointment “a milestone.”
Schlude’s leadership vision prioritizes collaboration, officer wellness, and proactive community engagement. She plans to implement more community policing initiatives, where officers can build relationships within their assigned neighborhoods. She also aims to focus on officer mental health and career development, believing these efforts will improve retention rates. CPD currently has 33 open positions, and Schlude intends to launch a recruitment and retention plan within the next 90 days.
Additionally, she expressed interest in pursuing accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA), which would provide greater transparency and ensure the department meets national policing standards.
Beyond internal improvements, Schlude is also committed to addressing Columbia’s broader challenges, including homelessness and mental health crises. She supports the city’s upcoming mental health co-response initiative, which will integrate mental health professionals into 911 dispatch to better handle crisis calls.
“When a person comes to this community, even if they’re a homeless individual, they are now a member of that community,” Schlude said. “We need to treat them as such and work with them in that respect.”
Schlude’s commitment to innovative policing strategies is also evident in her admiration for the Omaha 360 program, a crime reduction strategy that fosters collaboration between law enforcement and community organizations.
Schlude’s tenure as police chief begins at a pivotal time for Columbia, and she acknowledges the challenges ahead. Yet, with nearly two decades of experience within CPD, she remains confident in her ability to lead.
“I try to be a student of leadership, of innovative policing practices,” she said. “I know the people that work here, I know a lot of their strengths, and I think I would be able to get the right people in the right places to get some of these things going really quickly.”
