[Press Release] : City manager names Columbia police chief

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
Contact: Bill Watkins, City Manager - (573) 874-6338; Toni Messina,
Public Communications Director - (573) 874-7660; Kenneth M. Burton,
Cell: (817) 822-6211, Office: (817-222-7100

City manager names Columbia police chief

COLUMBIA, MO (February 19, 2009) - City Manager Bill Watkins today
announced the appointment of Kenneth M. Burton as chief of the Columbia
Police Department, effective around April 1, 2009. Burton will be paid
an annual salary of $135,000 in addition to the standard city benefit
package.

Currently police chief in Haltom City, Texas, an inner suburb of Fort
Worth, Burton brings 28 years of public law enforcement experience to
his new assignment. This includes 16 years of service in Arlington,
Texas, a city of more than 367,000, according to most recent U.S. Census
data.

Watkins said that Burton’s appointment caps a successful search
process marked by significant citizen participation and openness.
“Finding the individual who best fits Columbia and our city
organization was my first priority; my second was making sure that
everyone felt welcome to be part of the process. I’m extremely pleased
with the outcome,” Watkins said.
“So many people deserve gratitude and appreciation for their work
over the last few months,” Watkins added. “First and foremost, I
want to recognize Interim Chief Tom Dresner. He could have just gone
through the motions while we searched, but he aggressively positioned
the Police Department for the future.”

Watkins praised Dresner’s bent for honest communication, effective
response to public concerns and capacity-building at the department.
“Tom had more than a full plate, and it would take another news
release to list all his accomplishments since last July. Because of his
work, our officers are better trained, major arrests have been made,
crime is decreasing and people have noticed.”

Watkins also acknowledged that the high-quality candidates who sought
the Columbia position made his choice a tough one. “With the last two
finalists, this came right down to the wire. I am so thankful for the
opportunity to meet Kansas City, Missouri Police Major Christine
Laughlin,” Watkins said. “She is known for her integrity, work ethic
and commitment to her profession, and the community responded well to
her.”

What gave Burton the edge, Watkins said, is his experience as a chief.
“Ken’s familiarity with issues that face top executives prepares him
to assume departmental leadership here. The minute he’s sworn into our
force, he will personify a community standard for accountability in a
very difficult job,” Watkins said.

Watkins said that citizens provided important insights during the
search process. “I appreciate the contributions of those who served on
the citizen advisory committee and those who took the time to meet the
finalists personally and make personal comments. Ken already has learned
that people in Columbia care deeply about the community. I know he will
be graciously welcomed and frequently consulted,” Watkins said.

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