Columbus Police Department’s head investigator will leave the department for a position with Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office, sources have confirmed to The Dispatch.
Capt. Brent Swan has submitted a letter of resignation to Columbus Police Chief Fred Shelton. Swan has been with the department since 2014 when he was hired as commander of CPD’s Criminal Investigation Division.
LCSO Chief Deputy Marc Miley confirmed Swan would take start his new position with the county next month.
The Columbus City Council was made aware of Swan’s resignation during an executive session of Tuesday’s city council meeting.
“I hate that he’s leaving,” Ward 5 Councilman Stephen Jones said, adding Swan has been a “great asset to the department.”
Ward 2 Councilman Joseph Mickens described Swan as a man of citizenship and integrity.
“He did his job,” Mickens said. “I hate to see him go. … We keep losing good people. I just don’t know why. I wish there was something we could do to keep him.”
Swan was not immediately available for comment. Neither Shelton nor Mayor Robert Smith returned calls for comment.
Swan has more than 20 years of law enforcement experience including his stint with CPD. His most recent salary was $59,037, city Human Resources Director Pat Mitchell said.
Miley did not release Swan’s position or salary with the county, saying that information would have to come from Sheriff Mike Arledge, who was not immediately available for comment.
Jones said he wants the city to look at all possible avenues for finding the right replacement for Swan.
“I would hope we would bring in the best person, whether it’s from inside or outside (the department),” he said.
The Dispatch will update this report in Thursday’s print edition.
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