An increased emphasis on public safety and a renewed focus on the pension plan are top priorities for the Columbia Police Officers Association (CPOA). CPOA president Matt Nichols joined host Fred Parry in-studio for the hour Saturday morning on 939 the Eagle’s “CEO Roundtable” program. Mr. Nichols describes CPOA as the voice for the men and women who serve the Columbia Police Department, who decide to join CPOA. The organization has about 145 members, and President Nichols says they have about 99 percent of membership of those who are sergeants and below. Mr. Nichols tells Fred Parry that turnover at the Columbia Police Department has been about 71 percent since 2012, since changes were made to pension plans. He tells listeners that the restoration of the pension plan will help with CPD retention. Mr. Nichols also wants to see more funding for police and for public safety, saying more and more city dollars are being spent on social programs. Matt Nichols was born and raised in Columbia and was a “Boone baby”, which means he was born at Boone Hospital Center. Dr. Bob McDavid, who later served as mayor, delivered him. Mr. Nichols graduated from Hickman high school and served as a police cadet at one time. He’s also worked for the Hallsville and Ashland police departments. He’s also worked in the public sector, for Home Depot, Lowe’s and as a carpenter. Mr. Nichols worked at numerous stores for Lowe’s for almost a decade before he started as CPD. Mr. Nichols serves as a detective for the Columbia Police Department. As Fred Parry emphasized in this one-hour interview, Mr. Nichols is representing CPOA during this interview and is not speaking for the Columbia Police Department:

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