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Columbia Police Department Announces Leadership Changes and Honors Retiring Chief

Issue #643

January 12, 2026

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

☀️ Columbia’s Tuesday Weather - Mainly sunny w/ high of 62, low of 42

📰 Columbia Police Department Announces Leadership Changes and Honors Retiring Chief

📰 Tennessee State Agencies Submit $4.72 Billion Budget Requests for 2026–27

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

🗓 Know of Some Local Events Not Listed? Send us the Details!

Columbia Police Department Announces Leadership Changes and Honors Retiring Chief

Former Police Chief Jeremy Alsup, current Police Chief Jeremy Haywood & Assistant Chief Jason Dark

It’s been a season of transition for the Columbia Police Department, marked by a well-earned retirement, a new chief stepping into leadership, and a longtime officer being promoted.

From City of Columbia, TN - Government’s post…

The City of Columbia was proud to recently recognize Police Chief Jeremy Alsup upon his retirement after 29 years of dedicated service to the City of Columbia and the lasting impact he made on the community he served.

Chief Alsup began his law enforcement career with the Columbia Police Department as a Reserve Officer in 1997. Over the course of nearly three decades, he served the department in numerous roles—from Patrolman to Chief of Police, a position he has held since 2020.

During his tenure as Chief, Jeremy Alsup led the department through a period of significant growth and modernization. His leadership helped bring about many important advancements, including Crisis Intervention Training for all officers, competitive salary increases, enhancements to the Honor Guard Team, renovations to the Criminal Investigation Division and Annex, a redesigned patrol car decal, construction of a new shooting range, the establishment of the Community Affairs Division, creation of the Drone Team, and the implementation of License Plate Reader (LPR) cameras, among many other initiatives.

Thank you, Chief Alsup, for your years of dedication and service to the City of Columbia.

Chief Alsup will be replaced by Chief Jeremy Haywood.

From the Columbia Police Department’s post… 

Chief Jeremy Haywood effective today, January 10, 2026. A second-generation law enforcement officer, Chief Haywood brings 27 years of experience with the Columbia Police Department and a long record of dedicated service to the community.

Chief Haywood’s connection to the police department began in childhood through his father, retired CPD Lieutenant Bobby Joe Haywood, whose influence sparked his interest in law enforcement. He joined CPD as an Explorer in 1992, became an officer in 1998, and has since served in multiple leadership roles, including Sergeant, Investigations Lieutenant, Patrol Captain, and Assistant Chief.

All of these titles, though important and notable, don’t necessarily reflect who Chief Haywood is. He is a man if true integrity, leadership, and above all, heart. True leaders have a servant’s heart.

The Police Department also announced their new Assistant Chief of Police…

The City of Columbia’s Police Department is pleased to announce the promotion of Captain Jason Dark to Assistant Chief of Police, effective January 11, 2026.

Assistant Chief Dark brings 28 years of dedicated service to the Columbia Police Department. His connection with the department began in 1993 when he joined CPD as a Police Explorer. He later served as a Reserve Officer in 1997 before being hired as a full-time Patrol Officer in 1998.

Throughout his career, Assistant Chief Dark has served in numerous leadership roles, including Corporal, Sergeant, Lieutenant of Support Services, and Patrol Captain. His extensive experience across multiple divisions of the department has prepared him well for this leadership role.

Assistant Chief Dark’s professional development includes completion of the FBI–LEEDA Trilogy Certification, reflecting his commitment to leadership excellence and continuous improvement.

We look forward to Assistant Chief Dark’s continued service as he steps into this new role and leads the department with integrity, experience, and his commitment to public safety.

Tennessee State Agencies Submit $4.72 Billion Budget Requests for 2026–27

As 2025 came to a close, Tennessee state departments submitted their budget requests for the 2026–27 fiscal year, totaling $4.72 billion. Governor Bill Lee is expected to propose his official budget on February 1, taking these requests into consideration.

The requests include additional staffing for the Department of Children’s Services and the Tennessee Highway Patrol, funding to address federal cuts to programs like Medicaid and SNAP, and an increase for the private prison company CoreCivic.

The Tennessee Department of Education requested nearly $37.92 million in both recurring and one-time funds for initiatives such as summer learning camps, paid parental leave for teachers, salary increases, and the school turnaround program. The department did not include any new funding requests for the K-12 student funding formula or the state’s school voucher program. The Education Freedom Scholarship Act, which directs public money toward private school tuition, was a major legislative focus in 2025 and is now facing a lawsuit challenging its constitutionality.

Upcoming Local Events

🗓 Have an event to add? Send us the Details!

Tuesday, January 13th

Wednesday, January 14th

Thursday, January 15th

Friday, January 16th

Saturday, January 17th

Sunday, January 18th

👇 Click the Links to Learn About our Local Business Sponsors! 👇

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Tuesday, January 13th
Songwriters Round - Whiskey Alley Saloon, 6–9 PM

Thursday, January 15th
Todd Ciprian - Tito’s Spring Hill, 6–9 PM
The Alderson Jazz Collective - Whiskey Alley Saloon, 7–9 PM

Friday, January 16th
Brin Banta - Whiskey Alley Saloon, 7–9 PM
Tom Saffell & Robert Johnson - McCreary’s Irish Pub & Eatery, 7–9 PM
Troy Castellano - Puckett’s, 7:30–9 PM
DownSouth Band - Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 8–11 PM

Saturday, January 17th
Los Swamp Monsters - The Rebel Bar & Grill, 5:30 PM
Winter Series - The Bourbon Gospel, 7:30 PM
The Howlin Embers - Puckett’s, 7:30–9 PM
Rubiks Groove - The Mulehouse, 8 PM
Escape - The Boondox, 8 PM
Reba’s Hairdo - Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 8–11 PM

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