By BRENT MARTIN
St. Joseph Post
Former St. Joseph Police Captain Jeff Wilson has retired from the St. Joseph Police Department to prepare for his new role as Platte City Police Chief.
Wilson says he will miss the people the most after 32 years with the department.
“Those bonds there and the comradery that’s built throughout those years; there’s not words to explain it,” Wilson tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “It’s just a tight bond. And I will always be thankful for those days that I was able to do that.”
Wilson served many roles over the years, but says helping the victims of crime became the most satisfying aspect of his time with the St. Joseph Police Department.
“The opportunity to do that and help them through that process and hopefully more times than not bring closure to their cases always gave me that feeling of I’m where I’m supposed to be and doing what I’m supposed to do,” Wilson says.
Wilson served as head of investigations, serving on the Special Response Team, and serving as the department Public Information Officer, dealing with the news media.
Wilson says he’s proud to have served in the St. Joseph Police Department where he says officers promise to give everything they have to serve the community.
“That’s what an officer does,” Wilson says. “It’s not like negotiating many job contracts where it’s an equal part of we’re going to give you this if you give us that. No, you’re raising your hand and saying I’m going to give you everything that I have and possibly lay down my life to serve this community. That’s the thought process that those officers have when they wake up and they go to work each and every day.”
Wilson says the last several months with the St. Joeph Police Department have proven bittersweet.
“It’s affected me on an emotional level probably more than I really had prepared myself for,” Wilson admits. “That place will always be home to me. It’s near and dear to my heart. I love the members of that organization. I loved working there for 32 years. But, I’m very excited to go to Platte City and build new relationships.”
Wilson says he grew up in the Platte City area and is very familiar with the city south of St. Joseph.
Wilson was chosen as the next Platte City Police Chief from an application pool that included 40 candidates. Wilson will succeed Chief Joe Wellington, who is retiring.
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