Deputy Chief Melron Kelly

Deputy Chief Kelly has served with the Columbia Police Department since 1990. Before taking the law enforcement oath of office, he was a police cadet when he was 13-years-old with aspirations of becoming a police officer. This familiarity and commitment to serving the community through law enforcement has developed into leadership positions in the Narcotics Division, as an Investigator, before being promoted to Sergeant; a Lieutenant overseeing the Gang/Narcotics Unit; a regional commander as Captain in the North Region. Deputy Chief Kelly is graduate of the Police Executive Research Forum’s (PERF) 74th Session’s Senior Management Institute for Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) National Academy’s 270th Session, the University of Louisville’s Southern Police Institute (SPI) 124th Session,  Executive Police Leadership Program, and the 62nd Session of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Commanders Academy. Deputy Chief Kelly earned a Criminal Justice Degree from South Carolina State University and a Master’s Degree in Justice Administration from the University of Louisville. Deputy Chief Kelly serves as a member of various community and social organizations including as President of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) Organization, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Sowing Seeds, Incorporated, Harmony Incorporated, and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated.

Kayin Jones

Kayin Jones’ history of serving others spans an excess of 25 years. Over this period, he made it a point to develop relationships with various individuals and institutions to the benefit of the public. The one common denominator for all positions he has held is his expertise in effectively managing relationships and programs that support the public good. He earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Urban Planning from Morehouse College, and Master of Science Degree in Transportation Planning from South Carolina State University. He also completed a fellowship at Harvard University where he studied Urban Design and Landscape Architecture. He has honorably served his community by working at all levels of government – Local, State and Federal. He has also maintained several positions in the private-sector. He has a passion for Politics and served countless Campaigns and Initiatives. His most honored position was serving as the State Outreach Director for a Presidential Candidate in South Carolina during the 2020 Presidential Election Cycle. He enjoys all things outdoors, his beloved Alma Mater Morehouse College and he enjoys spending time with his dog, she is a Japanese Breed  – Kai-Ken, affectionately named Ladybug.