Candidate for Columbia Police Chief Withdraws

Columbia, S.C. (WOLO) — One of five candidates applying to be Columbia’s next police chief withdraws, citing medical reasons. This comes on the heels of the public’s first meeting with the candidates face to face in a public forum Tuesday night. Charles Rapp, currently serving as the Executive Director for the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commissions, withdrew from the selectionprocess, citing a medical emergency he experienced Monday. He said he is still ‘under evaluation’ and has not been cleared to travel. A. Tony Fisher, most recently Director of Public Safety for the City of Spartanburg; William Holbrook, currently Chief of Police for the Huntington, West Virginia Police Department; Bryan Norwood,, most recently Chief of Police in Richmond, Virginia; and Gregory Reese, currently Chief of Security Forces for Air Space Command at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado are the reminaing four candidates. At first glance, one could say their resumes are impressive. However, director of Columbia College’s online criminal justice program, Dr. Harry Cooper, says it will take more than that to take on and restructure an already embattled Columbia Police Department. “There have been seven chiefs in eight years. As a result, there is a lot of stress within the department and concern from local citizens,” said Cooper. Citizens get a chance to speak to the final four directly during a public forum Tuesday night at City Hall, beginning at 6:00. It’s a part of the overall interview process Cooper says is critical. “City leaders need to make sure they understand the concerns of the citizens,” said Cooper. “Unless they clearly understand those concerns, they won’t be able to bring the community in behind the person they bring in.” Cooper went on to say if hiring officials make the wrong decision, he doubts thier ability to fulle recover from that decision. We will have the outcome of the public forum tonight on ABC Columbia News at 11:00.