‘Beyond the Badge’ program designed to connect Columbia police to community

Five new Columbia police officers will go through a community outreach program to kick off their law enforcement careers, part of a new initiative by the police department to bridge the gap between police and the community they serve.

The Beyond the Badge program was designed by Columbia Police Department’s second-in-command Deputy Chief Melron Kelly, who said the initiative will be a good way for new officers to meet the people they serve.

Kelly said he developed the program after speaking with longtime Cincinnati Police Chief Jeffrey Blackwell, who has implemented a similar project.

“What is a better way for our new officers to meet the community they serve?” Kelly said. “These are brand new officers, so many of them haven’t been on the road yet. It’s a great way to get their feet wet meeting the people in the community.”

Kelly said the officers will serve at a variety of local organizations including:

Monday: Harvest Hope Food Bank

Tuesday: Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital

Wednesday: Epworth Children’s Home

Thursday: Transitions, United Way of the Midlands, Palmetto Place Children’s Shelter

Friday: Washington Street UMC soup kitchen, Oak Read High Rise

All future officers who join the Columbia Police Department will go through the same week of service, Kelly said.