Kirksville, MO -Changing ranks: KPD adds 'Master Police Officer'

Taylor Muller  
@TaylorMullerKDE
Posted Dec. 6, 2013 @ 11:19 am
Kirksville, MO            

A new administrative program at the Kirksville Police Department has officers vying for an advanced Master Police Officer rank and additional supervisory responsibilities.

The department has created a new rank and system to reward its officers who strive for excellence and additional responsibility through the Master Police Officer program. Officers, who traditionally were ranked as corporals, must meet performance and evaluative requirements, in addition to having peer assessments, and take on additional supervisor duties to qualify as an MPO.

The policy will allow for qualified and experienced officers to take on additional supervisor roles during their patrol shifts and assist during training with a goal of getting more officers supervisory experience.

"This is a great opportunity to recognize those who do work above and beyond what is expected of them," said KPD Chief Jim Hughes.

He emphasized that with a smaller, stable department, supervisory roles are limited, with the MPO program allowing the department's current six MPOs to fill in during shifts.

"This increases the number of supervisors that are available and helps everyone," Hughes said.

MPOs are distinguished with a uniform patch featuring a blue and silver chevron and a diamond.

Current Master Police Officers are: Rich Harden, Juan Chairez, Bill Puryear, Steve Feeney, Nathan Selby, Luke Bachman.

 

 

The Kirksville Police Department Master Police Officer badge is worn by officers qualified for the program through peer assessment, additional testing and annual re-certification.

Taylor Muller/Daily Express