CHIEF MICHAEL KELLY
Michael Kelly was appointed Chief of Police in Columbia in 2018. Chief Kelly served the city as Municipal Ordinance Enforcement Officer prior to being named chief. Kelly has recently navigated the department through an annexation that doubled the size of the city limits, adding many new residents and over 50 businesses. Kelly has worked with the city’s Board of Aldermen to purchase a new fleet of police vehicles, tasers, officer worn body cameras, computers, weapons, and other gear necessary for the city’s police force to serve with excellence. Since becoming Chief in Columbia, Chief Kelly has appointed officers to the US Marshalls Taskforce, DEA Taskforce, and the Attorney Generals Taskforce on Human Trafficking. Columbia city schools have gone from 1 School Resource Officer to 4 with each of the campuses now having an assigned officer. Columbia Police Department has been recognized the past 3 of 4 years by the Mississippi Municipal League for Best in Public Safety for cities fewer than 10k residents. Kelly was named Mississippi Law Enforcement Officer of the Year for 2018. Chief Kelly resides in Columbia with his wife of 24 years, Melissa, and their children Bellah (20) Bailee (14) and Bowen (11). Chief Kelly and Melissa also serve as pastors of the Springs Church in Columbia.