Chief of Police

THE CITY OF WEST PLAINS CHIEF OF POLICE IS SEEKING A OUR COMMUNITY West Plains, the county seat of Howell County in rural southcentral Missouri, has a population of about 12,300. The city serves as a key service, retail, and employment hub for the region, accommodating over 30,000 regional residents daily. The City of West Plains is home to Ozarks Healthcare, a comprehensive healthcare system that includes primary and specialty clinics, as well as rehabilitation, behavioral health, and home health services. The 114-bed acute care hospital handles over 5,400 admissions annually, while the entire health system records more than 364,000 patient visits each year across South Central Missouri and Northern Arkansas. Missouri State University-West Plains is a public, two-year, open-admission campus within the Missouri State University system, known for providing quality education in a relaxed, personal environment. The campus offers university housing, a variety of student activities, intercollegiate athletics, and financial aid options such as scholarships, grants, loans, and the A-Plus state scholarship for eligible students. HEALTHCARE HIGHER EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES The city employs 200 full-time employees and 40 seasonal/temporary employees during the summer. West Plains has general fund revenues of $11.4 million and a total operating budget of approximately $14.2 million. The city is a full-service municipality with several departments, including Administration (city administrator, city clerk, finance, human resources, municipal court), Community Services (parks, a public golf course, civic center, library, tourism, facility maintenance), Transportation (streets, airport, cemetery), Emergency Services (police department, fire department, emergency management), Planning (building and development, GIS Maps, stormwater, nuisance and property maintenance, economic development), and Utilities (water distribution, water treatment, wastewater treatment, sewer collection, sanitation, electric, and fiber). CITY ORGANIZATION The West Plains Police Department, with a budget of approximately $3.78 million, is fully staffed with 32 sworn officers and 7 civilian staff. It is a service-oriented agency committed to integrity, professionalism, respect, and teamwork. The department works hard to maintain public trust and in return enjoys strong community support. Dedicated to excellence in policing, community engagement, and innovative practices, its mission goes beyond crime prevention, focusing on community outreach, crisis intervention, and proactively addressing social issues that impact public safety. THE DEPARTMENT THE POSITION The police chief is an at-will position appointed by the city council and reports to the city administrator. As a member of the executive team, the chief oversees police services including law enforcement, criminal investigations, community relations, traffic control, dispatch, evidence collection, records maintenance, crime prevention, and animal control. The chief of police is assisted by the command staff, comprised of two lieutenants, 4 sergeants, and 6 corporals. CITY GOVERNMENT West Plains, incorporated in 1883, is a home rule charter city. Council members are elected at-large and serve staggered four-year terms, with one elected each year. The mayor also serves a four-year term and is elected by the public. The West Plains City Council, consisting of the mayor and four council members, sets policy, approves the budget, and represents residents' interests. The city administrator, appointed by the council, manages daily city operations, implements policies, and oversees city staff. This governance model promotes accountability, transparency, and responsiveness. The City of West Plains emphasizes resident engagement through public meetings, advisory boards, and community forums, fostering shared responsibility and community pride. The collaboration between the city council, city administrator, and residents ensures a safe, inclusive, and vibrant community with effective and equitable public services. CANDIDATE PROFILE The ideal candidate for police chief will have a strong commitment to fostering trust and collaboration between the police and the community, a proven record of ethical leadership, and extensive experience in law enforcement with a demonstrated track record of success. The chief is expected to actively engage with our community, build relationships that transcend traditional boundaries, and create a shared vision for safety and well-being. The candidate should possess strong leadership skills, including visioning, strategic planning, and communication, and be able to partner effectively with community members, advisory bodies, and city departments. Empathy, sensitivity, and respect toward community members are crucial, as is the ability to continuously improve and identify areas for enhancement. The police chief will work closely with the city administrator and other stakeholders to deliver a vibrant vision for the police department while fostering teamwork and a culture of excellence within the department. They must also possess a collaborative and inclusive leadership style, balancing diverse viewpoints and interests while being visible and accessible in the community. The ideal candidate will value diversity, equity, and inclusion, and uphold the highest ethical standards, fostering an environment of integrity and trust within the department and the broader community. QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE The next chief of police for West Plains should have a robust background in law enforcement, supported by a strong educational foundation. Qualifications include a minimum of ten years in law enforcement, with significant leadership experience in a municipal police department, demonstrating successful community engagement and collaborative problem-solving in diverse settings. A bachelor's degree in criminal justice, business or public administration, or a related f