Residents Question City Police Chief Search

(WOLO) COLUMBIA,S.C., — Residents say they are fed up and ready to fight against the current search for a permanent police chief in the Capitol city. Some two dozen residents who held a roundtable discussion in five points say they can’t understand why the man whose been doing the job for a year now, is not even on the list to be considered for the position. The group made up of citizens, business owners and community leaders say they plan to take their concerns to city officials requesting they “stop the search for police chief and appoint Chief Ruben Santiago immediately.” While some spoke about the successes they say Chief Santiago has made in Columbia, and inherited challenges they say he’s been able to overcome, there was one they say is still of concern. A SLEDD investigation into allegations made of corruption according to residents was suppose to be completed and released prior to the search for a police chief. ” I don’t want to turn this into mud slinging I really don’t and nothing against the other five candidates, but aren’t you innocent until proven guilty? And if he was good enough to be the police chief, then why has he been appointed interim chief twice and why is he still in that position now?” Residents plan to attend city council’s meeting Tuesday at City Hall to make sure their voices are heard loud and clear.