Amid a significant restructuring of the Columbia Police Department, Chief Ken Burton promoted four of its officers.
Last week, Lt. Brian Richenberger was promoted to captain, and Sgt. Shelley Jones was promoted to lieutenant. This weekend, Officer Mike Lederle was asked to take over Jones’s position as head of the Traffic Unit, and spokeswoman Jill Wieneke was promoted to sergeant.
The promotions occurred in light of the retirements of Tom Dresner, former deputy chief, and Lt. Ken Hammond, who both stepped down in December.
In terms of department policy, the promotions, effective Sunday, will not render any drastic changes yet. However, the promotions come as the CPD attempts to reach its goal of reorganizing its departments by Feb. 13. Burton hopes the reorganization will make it easier for departments within CPD to communicate with each other.
“The Chief is doing a re-organization of departments, changing who works for who and what specialized units are under what supervisors, to try to make things more efficient,” Wieneke said.
Under the current system, juvenile detectives report to the investigative captain, while the School Resource officers report to Capt. Brad Nelson, head of the North Patrol Bureau. After the new changes take effect, the same captain will supervise both sectors.
“When we have all those people reporting to the same supervisor, it makes it easier for that supervisor to have a handle on what is going on within the department,” Wieneke said.
Similarly, the same supervisor will oversee the Street Crimes and Narcotics units so that officers in the respective units will be able to work more closely. Additionally, the new department structuring will include three captains, overseeing patrol, investigations and administration, respectively.
Wieneke was promoted from officer to sergeant and said she feels optimistic about this change.
“I’m going to learn a lot more about the police department and start the process of learning about management,” Wieneke said.
Wieneke worked in the private sector for several years before coming to Columbia. After working five years for the CPD, Wieneke is ready for greater responsibilities.
“I’m looking forward to working with some of the younger officers and helping them move their careers in the direction they want,” she said.
Jones said she is also ready for the change. She has worked for CPD for the past 12 years and spent the last three years heading the Traffic Unit.
“I’ve been doing this for 17-and-a-half years,” Jones said. “My degree is in administration of justice, so I have been preparing most of my career to move up the ranks.”
Promotions for the department are complete for now, Wieneke said. If other officers decide to announce his or her retirement, more promotions will be made to fill the space.
