UPDATE: Todd Schliem confirmed as new police chief

Zuckerman installed as new City Council chairman

UPDATED: July 23, 2021, at 8:10 a.m. – Corrects Schliem’s age.

UPDATED: July 23, 2021, at 6:49 a.m. – Adds and corrects quotes from Schliem. Adds vote total.

MANDEVILLE — The City Council voted 4-0 to confirm FBI Special Agent Todd Schliem as Mandeville’s new police chief tonight (July 22, 2021). He will formally take office after his retirement from the FBI is made official. District III Councilwoman Jill McGuire was absent due to a medical procedure.

“I’m honored and humbled to be the selection,” Schliem told the crowd.

“I feel like the shortstop that took over for Derek Jeter. If you would have told me four weeks ago, maybe five weeks ago, that I would even consider leaving the FBI, that would have been heresy… no way… except to serve the people of this city,” he continued.

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The council widely praised the choice of Schliem and Mayor Clay Madden’s selection process.

“Your record is obviously impeccable… congratulations on an incredible career… we appreciate your desire to serve this community in an even greater role,” Councilman at Large Rick Danielson said.

I love Mandeville… My kids grew up here… I’m inheriting a great department, otherwise I wouldn’t even have considered it.
— Mandeville Police Chief Designate Todd Schliem

Schliem, 55, a native of Wisconsin, has 22 years of experience as a special agent with the FBI. He was selected by Mayor Clay Madden from among a field of seven interviewees.

Madden said in a press release he made his decision to appoint Schliem after an open search, a series of multiple interviews, and discussions with veteran law enforcement officials in the area.

According to the release, Schliem has had “a stellar career” with the Federal Bureau of Investigations, where the majority of his career was spent working and collaborating with local police agencies.

Schliem’s wife is a New Orleans native and they have lived in Mandeville since 2007. He has received numerous awards during his career including the FBI Director’s Award in 2016 and the Metropolitan Crime Commission Case of the Year in 2015.

In other business, Councilman at Large Jason Zuckerman was appointed to the post of Council Chairman, whose duties include running council meetings, for the August 1, 2021, to July 31, 2022, term. He takes over for Councilman at Large Rick Danielson who has served at the post since the new council was sworn in fall 2020.