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Kimberling City Police Department back to 24/7 service

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From Left: Officer Billie Kregel, K9 Officer Ginger, Officer Alexis Hobbs, Chief Todd Lemoine, Officer Andrew Boillot, Officer Nathan Leenerts
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Chief Lemoine said the fully operational department will allow officers to interact with the public and likely provide a greater sense of throughout the community
Kadee Brosseau DeCourley

The Kimberling City Police Department is officially back up and running around the clock. On Monday of this week, Chief Todd Lemoine announced his department is staffed 24/7, meaning Kimberling City officers will be patrolling the city and responding to calls whenever the need arises.

Chief Lemoine said the fully operational department will allow officers to interact with the public and likely provide a greater sense of security throughout the community as officers enforce city ordinances and nuisance violations.

“Having the department back performing 24/7 will allow personal, professional, and consistent interaction within the community,” Chief Lemoine explained. “[It should also] give a sense of protection, safety, and comfort.”

Chief Lemoine said response times should be minimal now that the city has 24/7 coverage by local law enforcement.

When Chief Lemoine took his position in November of last year, the department was completely vacant after the former chief and several officers resigned suddenly. Now, about five months later, there are four officers, plus one K9 officer and the chief. The current budget allows for the department to have five police officers, in addition to the chief.

“I still have one vacant position. Although I am working through a few backgrounds on applicants, they are falling below my hiring standards for one reason or another,” Chief Lemoine said.

Still, getting back to a 24/7 department was one of the chief’s first goals.

“Having enough officers to successfully manage a flexible 12-hour schedule was the main goal to achieve with the right officers. Of the six officers that I have hired since my first hire in December, only four have navigated the complete spectrum of the Field Officer Training Program. In addition to the completion of [more than] 700 hours of Missouri Peace Officer Training, they also have to complete an additional [more than] 350 hours of field training,” Chief Lemoine explained.

During the months that Kimberling City was without a 24/7 department or a department at all, the Stone County Sheriff’s Department responded to calls in Kimberling City. While that assistance will no longer be needed regularly, Chief Lemoine said it is not unlikely that his department will be working alongside the sheriff’s office in the future.

“We will continue to have a working relationship with Stone County Sheriff’s Office conducting in the capacity of ‘assisting other agency” and have also both signed off on an intergovernmental agreement for mutual aid and police services,” Chief Lemoine said.

Chief Lemoine said moving forward, his department is “committed to providing a safe environment for the people it serves, and to preventing illegal conduct in any form.”

“We are responsible for protecting the individuals we serve and ensuring their safety and well-being. You will see that we are respectful, professional and fair and expect the same in return,” Chief Lemoine said.

Chief Lemoine also provides three notes to the community as ways they can show support for law enforcement:

“One, be a good citizen. Two, know the community and continue to respect the police department, other city leaders, and your neighbors. Three, have integrity. Do the right thing, even when no one is watching.”
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People who would like to apply to be an officer with the Kimberling City Police Department can find application information on the Kimberling City Police Department website and on Indeed.

All content copyright Stone County Publishing Co. Inc.
The Stone County Republican/Crane Chronicle
P.O. Box 401, Crane, Missouri 65633
Phone: 417-723-5248      Fax: 417-723-8490
  • Home
  • Inside This Week's Issue
    • Child nearly drowns in James River near Galena
    • Local businesses destroyed in overnight Buttonwood Center fire
    • Man sentenced in Billy Mack Walker murder case
    • Former garment factory building on the north side of Crane is for sale
    • Man sentenced for charges involving high speed pursuit
    • Kimberling City officer takes home crown at first responder pageant
    • Weekly Stock Market Insights
    • Crane woman seriously injured in motorcycle crash
    • Local students named to Missouri State University’s spring 2022 dean’s list
  • This Week's Issue
  • Archive
  • Our History
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  • Contact Us
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