Excelsior Springs Police Department History On July 12,1881, Excelsior Springs became a fourth class City under The Statues of the State of Missouri. The first City Marshall was J.D. Haflerty who served a short time and was replaced by Willis Redman. Mr. Redman was a popular City Marshall and was known to many citizens as Uncle Willis. His duties were keeping the peace and handling any problems that might arise. In 1913, Joe Elgin was the City Marshall. He was soon to obtain additional help to handle the day to day problems, so the Police Department in 1917, was increased to four men. The Marshall, a day man, a night man and a fire truck driver/jailer. In 1917 William A. Payne was hired as a fire truck driver and jailer. Bill, as he was known to the citizens of the city, eventually worked his way up to the position of police chief. When he started, Bill was paid $100 a month, and he lived at the station because he was on duty all of the time. The employee’s were only paid twice a year because that was the only time the cit y had any money. The city would give the employees script, and the bank would honor it until they were paid. In 1921, Excelsior Springs adopted the Clty Manager form of government and J. V. “Joe” Cravens was appointed Chief of Police. After serving a short time he was replaced by Walter Ligon. Mr. Ligon retained the position of Chief of Pollce until 1925. In 1925 Bill Payne was appointed Chief of Police and he held that position until 1953. In 1926, Bill Payne experienced his first big test as chief of police. Halloween that year was described as a "disgrace to the city". Vandals painted windows, slashed tires on automobiles, defaced the streets and storefronts, caused damage to one of the city's bridges. As Halloween of 1927 was approaching, Payne was determined that the same thing would not happen again. He decided that on Halloween he would give a party for the citizens of Excelsior Springs, both young and old. About 100 people attended the party. Free drinks and food we re donated by the city merchants, and to gain admittance to the party, citizens had only to pledge not to damage or destroy any property. The party was a huge success, and the amount of vandalism was greatly reduced that year. The party became known as the Bill Payne Halloween Party and was continued year after year. Since the time the party was started vandalism has never been a major problem in the city. Today the Bill Payne Halloween Party is still held every Halloween. As chief of police, Bill had varied duties in the city. Excelsior Springs was always full of visitors, and Uncle Bill would often be asked for directions to place. If there was room in their car he would climb in and show them the way. Payne also said that part of his duties was to keep the city clean, and if someone would report trash in a street or alleyway, he would go to the area and clean it up. In 1953 Bill Payne was forced to retire because of health reasons. Bill Payne was succeeded by Mr. Don L. Malott who left the Police Department in 1954. Mr. Glen Clevenger was appointed Chief of Police and remained In that position until 1962. During this time, the federal government passed several regulations concerning the advertisement of health aids such as mineral water. The tourist business began to decline and as it did the economical makeup of the city changed from primarily a tourist economy to a combination of both tourism and industrial growth. In 1963 Frank Patterson became Chief of police and served until John Erskine replaced him in 1972. John Erskine was responsible for a modernization of the police department. New officer applicants were required to have at least two years of college or equivalent training, and officers already on the department were required to obtain at least two years of college. Uniforms and equipment were updated. Under Erskine, the department obtained a computer system through the Kansas City police Department that tied it to departments through o ut the country. (ALERT and NCIC). Mr. Erskine resigned in 1976 and was replaced in 1977, by Mr. Larry Winn. In 1976 the City Council established the Department of Police and Fire Services, a public safety concept with a Director of Police and Fire Services with Deputy Chiefs of Police Service and Fire Service. John Erskine was the first Director of police and Fire Services. During Mr. Winn’s tenure, in October 1977, the concept of public safety was abandoned by the City Council and the former system restored. Mr. Winn resigned in December, 1977 and James A. Squires was appointed as Chief of Police. Mr. Squires served until 1982. John M. McGovern, the current Chief, was appointed as Chief in July, 1982. He has continued the modernization of the Police Department and successfully obtained a new and modern Police Building for the department and the City. The first jail was built at 426 Concourse and is now a part of the Bill Payne residence at that address. The second police station and jail was located at the approximate location of the Missouri Power and Light area on N. Marietta Street. The police station and jail subsequently moved to a building in the 400 block of Thompson Avenue, which housed the Police and Fire Departments. In the mid-1950's, the police department moved to the lowest level of the Hall of Waters, that was accessed by driving through two alleys. It remained at that location until 1972. At that time the police department was relocated to the old Library building at 339 East Broadway. The building served as a semi-store front Police Station and was far more accessible to the citizens of the community. It became overcrowded and far too small and the Department was moved into its current custom designed Police Facility in 1989. The first police car was a Model A Ford which was found abandoned in a field near North Jesse James Road and US 69 Highway. At one time the police has a gentlemans agreement with Mr. Stanberry, owner of the Dodge - Plymouth Dealership at 414 Thompson, adjacent to the Police - Fire Department building. The agreement allowed the Police Department to use cars belonging to Mr. Stanberry to transport arresteeâs to jail. "The Police Department has grown from a City Marshall in 1881 to a department of 21 full-time sworn officers, four (4) reserve officers, and 14 civilian employees. From the use of a borrowed car to a fleet of seven (7) patrol cars and nine (9) support vehicles including an animal control vehicle and a mobile command post. From handling a few incidents as required to handling over 14,000 calls in 2001, embracing the Community Policing concept, and supporting very active D.A.R.E. and SRO programs in our schools." City IndexBack to Police Home Page