Near the start of the last College Station city council meeting, was a tribute to police chief Scott McCollum, who is retiring after 35 years.
Mayor Karl Mooney was the first of 12 speakers expressing their thanks.
A family member, CSPD assistant chiefs, five other council members, other city administrators, and McCollum also spoke.
Meantime, a city spokesman says there are 45 applications under review for McCollum’s successor.
And the search for College Station’s next fire chief is down to four finalists. None are current or former CSFD firefighters. A selection could be announced in the next couple of weeks.
Click below to hear the tribute to Scott McCollum during the April 9, 2020 College Station city council meeting.
Additional information courtesy of the College Station police department:
Friday, April 17, 2020, marks the end of an era for the College Station Police Department (CSPD) as Chief of Police Scott McCollum retires after serving the City of College Station for 35 years.
While attending Texas A&M University he developed a love for this community and after graduation Chief McCollum started at CSPD in April 1985. Since that time his career has spanned five different decades and included a variety of assignments. These include:
• Patrol Officer
• Assistant Training Coordinator
• Detective
• Patrol Sergeant
• Lieutenant – Administration
• Lieutenant – Commander, Information Services
• Public Information Officer
• Assistant Chief of Police – 2001 to 2014
• Interim Chief of Police – 2007, 2008, and 2014
• Chief of Police – October 2014 to April 2020
Chief McCollum was part of many developments within the organization and led many initiatives and projects while with the College Station Police Department. His mark on the organization will be felt for many years. Some highlights include:
• SWAT Team Member
• Honor Guard Member
• Brazos Valley Council of Governments Homeland Security Advisory Board
• Board Member – Sexual Assault Resource Center
• Board Member – Aggieland Humane Society
• TEEX Central Texas Police Academy Advisory Board
• President – Scotty’s House
• Member – Texas Police Chief’s Association
• Member – International Association of Chiefs of Police
• Authored and compiled five different Strategic Plans for CSPD
• Implemented Crime Analysis Unit
• Implemented K9 Unit
• Oversaw CSPD building renovation 2007
• Oversaw planning for new CSPD facility 2018-2020
• Graduate of FBI National Academy 2001
• Led department evaluation and implementation of new CAD/RMS system 2016
He has served since October 2014 as the 12th Chief of Police that the city has had. During his leadership, his administration stressed the need for treating everyone with dignity and respect, be it internally or externally. This respect has yielded trust and trust is the foundation upon which effective policing is built. Community engagement through the development of effective partnerships has been a constant effort across all components of the department.
On behalf of the City Manager’s Office, Deputy City Manager Jeff Capps expressed appreciation for Chief McCollum’s service to the community and for the excellent leadership and vision he provided the College Station Police Department. Capps, who preceded McCollum as chief, also announced that Assistant Chief Chuck Fleeger will serve as interim police chief while the search for a new chief continues. Application reviews are underway and it’s hoped interviews will be scheduled within the next few weeks.
Chief McCollum will be honored at a reception at the new College Station Police Department at a date and time to be determined once it is deemed to be safer in light of the current COVID-19 crisis.