Columbus is preparing for a significant change in public safety leadership as Police Chief Stoney Mathis approaches retirement after more than three years overseeing the Columbus Police Department. His departure comes during a period of declining violent crime, improved police staffing and major investments in law enforcement technology.

Mathis, who became interim chief in May 2023 before receiving the permanent position that October, is scheduled to retire December 31, 2026. City officials, police officers, family members and residents gathered at the Public Safety Building on October 14 to recognize his service and accomplishments.

With approximately two and a half months remaining before his departure, attention is turning toward who will lead the department next. Assistant Chief Lance Deaton has received Mathis’ public endorsement, but city officials have not announced a successor or provided a confirmed timetable for selecting the next chief.

Crime Has Declined During Mathis’ Leadership

One of the most significant developments during Mathis’ tenure has been the reported reduction in serious crime. When he assumed leadership in 2023, Columbus was dealing with elevated violent crime and a police department struggling with staffing shortages.

According to the Columbus Police Department, violent crime declined 29% during the first 11 months of 2025 compared with the same period in 2024. The department also reported 1,022 fewer major offenses during that period. In January 2026, police announced that major crime had declined more than 30% over the preceding two years.

The improvements helped the department earn the 2025 Phyllis Goodwin Agency of the Year Award from the Georgia Chapter of the FBI National Academy Associates. The award recognized the department’s work in crime reduction, recruiting, leadership development and modernization.

During his farewell celebration, Mathis also highlighted reductions in homicides and shoplifting. While those figures reflect encouraging trends, the next administration will face the challenge of maintaining progress while responding to ongoing concerns about neighborhood safety.

A Department Rebuilt Through Recruiting and Technology

Mathis inherited a department dealing with significant personnel shortages, an issue that affected police agencies nationwide. Recruiting additional officers became one of his administration’s primary objectives, alongside improving salaries, employee morale and professional development.

In a July interview with WRBL, Mathis said the department had hired more than 100 additional officers during his leadership. The department also expanded specialized enforcement units and invested in equipment intended to improve investigations and emergency response capabilities.

Among the most notable improvements was the establishment of Columbus’ first Real Time Crime Center. The department expanded its use of surveillance technology, license plate readers, upgraded body cameras and drones to support investigations and improve police operations. City leaders also credited Mathis with helping secure funding for upgrades to the city’s 911 emergency communications system.

Those investments provide a foundation for the next police chief, but technology and staffing improvements will require continued financial support. Maintaining competitive salaries, replacing aging equipment and ensuring officers receive adequate training will remain important responsibilities.

Who Could Become Columbus’ Next Police Chief?

Assistant Chief Lance Deaton has emerged as a potential successor after receiving Mathis’ public endorsement during the October 14 farewell ceremony.

Mathis expressed confidence in Deaton’s leadership abilities while acknowledging that the final decision remains uncertain. He also encouraged department employees to support whoever ultimately receives the position, emphasizing that cooperation and teamwork will be essential to maintaining recent improvements.

Promoting someone already serving within the department could provide continuity, allowing the next chief to build on existing programs without significantly changing the agency’s direction. An outside candidate, however, could introduce different experience and approaches to policing.

As of October 15, city officials have not publicly announced whether they intend to conduct a national search, promote an internal candidate or appoint an interim chief. WTVM reported that it contacted the mayor’s office following the farewell celebration but had not received a response about the selection process.

A New Mayor Adds Another Dimension to the Transition

Mathis’ retirement also comes as Columbus prepares for a change in political leadership. Mayor Skip Henderson’s administration is approaching its conclusion, with Mayor-elect Isaiah Hugley preparing to take office in January 2027.

The timing creates an important decision for city government. Mathis’ final scheduled day is December 31, immediately before the new administration begins, raising questions about whether a permanent successor will be selected before the transition or whether an interim leader will oversee the department.

The next police chief will play a major role in shaping public safety priorities under the incoming administration. Decisions involving officer recruitment, crime prevention strategies, community policing and departmental spending could affect Columbus residents for years.

The leadership change also creates an opportunity to evaluate the department’s recent accomplishments while identifying areas requiring additional attention.

What Challenges Will the Next Chief Face?

Despite reported reductions in crime and improvements in staffing, the next police chief will inherit several ongoing challenges. Officer compensation remains one of the most important, particularly as Columbus competes with neighboring communities for experienced law enforcement personnel.

During a July interview with WRBL, Mathis said starting police salaries in Columbus were approximately $10,000 below those offered by some competing departments in LaGrange, Opelika and Auburn. He recommended that future city leaders consider a 10% public safety pay increase to help maintain competitive compensation.

Community relationships will also remain a priority. While many residents and officials have praised Mathis for reducing crime and rebuilding the department, his tenure has also included criticism surrounding policing practices and leadership decisions. The next chief will need to maintain public confidence while ensuring accountability and professional standards.

Continued progress will depend on more than enforcement. Effective investigations, neighborhood partnerships, emergency response times, officer retention and transparent communication will all contribute to how residents evaluate the department’s performance.

What Happens Before December 31?

With Mathis’ retirement approaching, Columbus residents can expect growing attention to the process of selecting his replacement. The most immediate questions involve who will make the appointment, whether outside candidates will be considered and how the city will manage the transition between administrations.

City officials will also need to determine whether the next chief should continue Mathis’ existing strategies or introduce new priorities. The reported reductions in crime provide an encouraging starting point, but the department’s long-term performance will depend on sustained leadership and adequate resources.

For Mathis, the remaining months represent an opportunity to complete ongoing initiatives and prepare the department for its next leader. In earlier interviews, he expressed confidence in the department’s stability and encouraged future leaders to remain connected with the officers who serve Columbus residents every day.

A New Chapter for Columbus Public Safety

Mathis will leave office after a relatively short but consequential period leading one of Georgia’s larger municipal police departments. His administration has been credited with reducing serious crime, strengthening recruitment, improving officer morale and modernizing police operations.

Those accomplishments establish expectations for whoever assumes the position next. Columbus residents will want continued reductions in crime, responsive law enforcement, effective use of taxpayer resources and a department that maintains strong relationships with the community.

The upcoming leadership decision will be one of the most important public safety developments facing Columbus as the city enters 2027.

For residents, the question is no longer simply who will replace Stoney Mathis. It is whether the next police chief can build on the department’s recent progress and make Columbus an even safer place to live, work and raise a family.