Joe Van Parkman
Former Columbia Police Chief Joe Van Parkman was forced to resign by the Board of Aldermen in October. A Marion County Grand Jury indicted Parkman in December on charges of embezzlement and making fraudulent statements.
Count one alleges that on July 17, 2008 Parkman labeled a purchase order stating that he was going to buy shotgun shells but instead purchased a semiautomatic rifle. The rifle was not listed in police inventory.
Count two charges that on May 20, 2008 Parkman labeled another purchase order stating that he was going to buy “squad equipment” but instead purchased a .40-caliber handgun. He did not list the gun in police inventory.
Count three states that on July 29, 2008 Parkman attempted to defraud the city of Columbia by purchasing a .45 caliber handgun with city funds.
Former Columbia Police Department Captain David Powell was also indicted by the grand jury in December on three counts of embezzlement. Powell, 36, of 618 Branton Avenue, Columbia, allegedly pawned equipment that came into his possession as a result of his position as a law enforcement officer.
Both men had their first court appearance Jan. 14, and Parkman’s and Powell’s next court appearances are scheduled for April 5.
Some Columbia residents said they would still like Parkman to be chief, while others think Interim Chief John Wayne Tolar should have the job. Some think the new chief should come from out of the area.
A trail date of Oct. 11 was set for Parkman on April 5. Powell was also scheduled to appear in Circuit Court on April 5 to have his trial date set, but his appearance was rescheduled, as he works offshore.
A motion to dismiss the embezzlement charge against Parkman was filed by his attorney, and a hearing will be scheduled on the motion.
Last updated April 5, 2010.
Good job reporting, and holding the alderman and all accountable to we the people here, at last.
I believe this whole situation is very suspicious. I believe Joe Van Parkman has become the target of extremely vindictive “powers that be” in our community. If we are going to suspiciously monitor the actions of the leaders of our community, then I believe the monitoring should start at the very top and work its way down. For example, why do we have a Board of Aldermen who vote one way today, go home, and through out the night have an “epiphany” that his/her vote was wrong and return to change that vote to the other side. Do they not consider anything BEFORE they act? If so, why do we have them in decison making positions that affect our community? Maybe we should have an “epiphany” the next time we vote and rid our community leadership of the indecisive individuals!
If something doesn’t change for the better soon, I am gonna have one of those “epiphanies” in about 3 years and encourage every registered voter of the city and county to do the same.