Before he begins in February, here's what Salina's new police chief has to say about the city

Beginning next month, the City of Salina will have a new chief of police, after the hiring of Clarence "C.J." Wise, was announced Wednesday.

City Manager Mike Schrage, who made the announcement by a news release, introduced Wise to the Salina City Commission during a special meeting Friday morning.

"C.J. has a number of years experience in law enforcement, as well as a breadth of experience in law enforcement," Schrage said.

Wise comes to Salina with 25 years of experience, a member of the Edmond Police Department in Oklahoma since 1998. He rose within the ranks of the department in Edmond, serving as an officer, sergeant, captain and now as a major in the Edmond PD.

The city manager said Wise's experience with outside agencies, such as the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, is impressive.

"We also did an extensive background check, sending an individual to (Edmond), viewing his personnel file and speaking to people even beyond his references," Schrage said. "We very consistently found a management style, experience and approach that was what we were looking for."

Not only does Wise fit the requirements and expectations of what the city was looking for, but Schrage said he also with those of those within the police department, based on a survey that was conducted within it.

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Salina a nexus in Wise's law enforcement career

Wise said he was humbled and thankful for the opportunity to serve the community of Salina, especially since it is one of the place's where his journey in law enforcement began.

"My (journey) started here in 1994," Wise said. "I came here on a recruiting trip for football...to Kansas Wesleyan (University)."

He said at the time he was thinking about pursuing a career in athletic training.

"(The KWU department) head was very honest with me and asked "are you...strong in science?'" Wise said. "(At the time) I was OK, and he (told me to) go find a different line of work."

Wise said although he was a little crushed, he was also humbled in that experience and very impressed with Salina during that trip.

"I changed my career path, and law enforcement was what I chose, based on coming here (to Salina)," Wise said. "So, when this (chief) position came open, I felt like I had some familiarity with it."

After doing his own research, including looking into the city and the Salina Police Department, he realized that the path it was heading toward was similar to that which he was heading.

"It fits with my beliefs and the way I feel like we should police, (including) making partnerships with the community," Wise said.

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What kind of leadership experience does Wise bring to the Salina Police Department?

According to Schrage, one of the most impressive aspects of Wise's experience was those in supervisory skills within law enforcement.

"(He) has supervised field training, peer support, honor guard, and K-9 functions, and has led the Edmond Police Department’s Office of Professional Responsibility, criminal investigations division and (it's) patrol division," Schrage said in the news release.

Wise also comes to Salina with multiple professional achievements including being selected as supervisor of the year twice and an FBI-Law Enforcement Executive Development Association Trilogy Award for Supervision.

He has a master's degree in criminal justice management and administration from the University of Central Oklahoma, a bachelor's degree in business-organizational leadership from Southern Nazarene University, an associate degree in criminal justice from Seminole State College and is 2019 graduate of the FBI National Academy

According to Schrage, Wise is currently house-hunting in the community, and will begin in new position at the beginning of February.

This article originally appeared on Salina Journal: Salina's new police chief 'humbled, honored' for opportunity