Chief Stoney Mathis reflects on leadership, legacy as retirement approaches
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As Columbus Police Chief Stoney Mathis prepares to step away from the department in approximately six months, he says the decisions that have stayed with him most weren’t made on crime scenes. They were made inside his office.
During an exclusive interview with CNAW2News.com, Mathis reflected on his three-plus years leading the Columbus Police Department, discussing the difficult choices, accomplishments and advice he hopes his successor carries forward.
Mathis said terminating an employee is one of the hardest responsibilities of serving as police chief because the consequences often extend beyond losing a job.
“When a chief has to terminate an employee, we’re not just terminating an employee—we’re changing his livelihood,” Mathis said, noting that terminated officers often face state certification investigations that can permanently end their law enforcement careers.
Promotions, he added, present another challenge because multiple deserving candidates often compete for only one or two openings.
Looking back, Mathis said he is most proud of rebuilding a department that was struggling when he arrived more than three years ago.
“When I came into Columbus, they were struggling to the point of almost being broken,” he said.
He said recruiting became his first priority after taking office.
The department shortened its lengthy hiring application, increased officer pay by $5,000 and launched social media recruiting efforts, helping bring new officers into the agency without lowering hiring standards.
Those improvements, combined with crime reduction strategies and community policing initiatives, helped the department earn Agency of the Year recognition from the FBI National Academy.
Mathis also said policing has evolved under his leadership through a balanced approach that combines community engagement with proactive enforcement.
“You have to do both simultaneously,” he said. “If you try to do one more than the other, you’re going to fail.”
As his tenure winds down, Mathis offered simple advice to whoever becomes Columbus’ next police chief.
“Be present,” he said. “Value your police officers.”
He also believes improving pay should become the department’s next major priority, arguing Columbus officers remain underpaid compared to neighboring agencies.
“I believe the next chief ought to get with the new mayor and get a 10 percent pay raise across public safety.”
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