Police Chief

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 fi