ABOUT MY PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS....
In sum, I am in my 15th year as a professional public servant. I have received a wide array of experience, training, and education over these last 15 years, including serving our community and country as a law enforcement officer, police chief, federal agent, successful business owner, and firefighter/EMT.
I feel as though I have been successful over the years in everything I've set out to do. In example, as a local Police Chief, I have been able to acquire a substantial amount of useful equipment and financial resources in the form of grants. Furthermore, I have been able to overcome several hurdles and assemble & lead a great team of police employees with descent resources.
Is my team perfect? Am I perfect? No... and nothing will EVER be perfect! But we do try hard and we do use our 'mistakes' as lessons for progress... because we care!
I am confident this array of experience is what makes me a highly qualified Sheriff's Candidate....
April 2007 - Present Board Member for Your Laclede County Health Department
Your health department provides health and safety resources and education to our community. This includes WIC Services, Training, Restaurant inspections, and many other important community services.
As a board member, I work with the other 4 board members to ensure that our community's desires and needs are met by the day-to-day staff in an efficient and fiscally responsible manner.
Early 2006 - Present Richland, Missouri Chief of Police (Currently)
1996-2001 (Past: Part-Time Officer and Jailer)
As the Police Chief, I'm responsible for oversight of police department operations: including patrol, detention/holding, MULES/NCIC & dispatching,
public information/education, investigations, and human resources (such as interviewing).
I lead a team of 17 employees in the department- including full-time officers, part-time officers, and clerical operations.
I prepare a proposed police department budget and, once implemented, execute it using cost-effective and practical operation.
I have been very successful in obtaining grants in the form of "free" money and equipment for the benefit of the police department and those we serve. (Some of the grants I've helped acquire and implement include: field-use radios, a station radio system, drug-investigation equipment, a video surveillance system, police equipment {including detention benches, flashlights, new LED lightbars, in-car cameras, etc}, a thermal detection device, police cars with installed equipment, and grant funding for DWI & drug-enforcement overtime.)
Myself, along with a great team, built the department into a highly visible, successful police operation responsible for the safety and security of our city's citizens and visitors.
I'm also currently commissioned as a Sheriff's Deputy in the following counties:
Dallas County Sheriff's Office (Bennett Springs, Buffalo, Etc): Active reserve deputy. I routinely volunteer 2-3 nights a month on my own time.
Laclede County Sheriff's Office: Inactive reserve deputy (due to the Current Sheriff's lack of an organized/active reserve officer program).
Pulaski County Sheriff's Office (Waynesville, Richland, Etc): Commissioned reserve deputy assisting as needed.
2004-2005 /
1997-2002 Police Officer w/ extended duties
Since graduating at the top of my police academy class in 1997, I have had the privilege to serve as a professional, full-time patrol officer in both Lebanon and Republic, Missouri.
I was responsible for preventative patrols, response to calls for assistance, investigations and follow-ups, and worked on safety programs (such as traffic safety and alcohol control).
While doing patrol work and investigations, I had a significant number of criminal arrests, DWI's, and Drug Arrests with follow-up investigations, including the use of informants.
I was a member of the SRT/SWAT Tactical Operations Team.
I was a member of a regional major-crime squad.
I did leave these positions for upgraded employment (as federal officer & then as police chief).
2002-2004 U.S. Department of Homeland Security
After the 9/11 tragedy, I stepped up to help our country in its time of need doing what I know best- being a law enforcement officer. I gave up what I had here, sold my house (at a substantial loss) and moved to the East Coast.
I served as a federal law enforcement agent assigned to Transportation Law Enforcement and Anti-Terrorism Duties.
I trained at, and graduated from, the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) Academy & received numerous hours of additional federal-level training.
I resigned due to health complications at the time. (These no longer affect me in my local police performances.)
1995-2002 President / CEO - Quality Security Service, Inc.
I employed approximately 60 security / safety officers serving the Lebanon, southwest and central Missouri Areas during the 7 years I actively ran the company.
I was the primary manager with a subordinate chain of command. I budgeted and planned the company operations.
I personally conducted private investigations and oversaw other inquiries.
I closed the business operations as I progressed into public law enforcement.
1992-2000 Firefighter / First Responder - EMT
I volunteered for approximately 8 years as an ACTIVE firefighter and First Responder-EMT in our community:
Lebanon Rural Fire Department
Eldridge Fire & Rescue
Conservation Strike Team
