Jefferson City Police Department Capt. Doug Shoemaker has been named police chief for Grand Junction, Colorado.
Grand Junction City Manager Greg Caton announced Tuesday morning he was appointing Shoemaker to the position effective June 18. Shoemaker competed for the position with three other finalists and 34 other applicants.
Shoemaker currently is responsible for detectives, narcotics, community services, traffic and public affairs for Jefferson City police. He has held several positions in the department at the command level including operations commander in charge of patrol and SWAT.
Shoemaker also is a course director/adjunct instructor for Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. He holds a master's degree in criminal justice; is a doctoral candidate in organizational leadership at Wilmington University, Delaware; and is a graduate of the School of Police Staff and Command at Northwestern University. He has been active in a variety of community-based volunteer efforts, including the United Way of Central Missouri and the Boys & Girls Club of Jefferson City.
"I am extremely honored to have been selected for the position of chief of police for the City of Grand Junction," Shoemaker said. "The members of this agency have a tremendous amount of talent and compassion, along with a strong desire to serve and protect. I look forward to collaboratively working with all employees, both within GJPD and the city of Grand Junction, as well as members of our community to make Grand Junction a safe place to call home.
"I feel very fortunate to have served these past 26 years with the Jefferson City Police Department," Shoemaker added. "Members of our community have always been very supportive of law enforcement, and I'm a firm believer such support is a cornerstone of our success as a police agency. While not a native of Jefferson City, I have always felt at home here and very honored to have served the citizens of Jefferson City."
With Shoemaker moving on, Jefferson City Police Chief Roger Schroeder said the department soon will begin the process of finding someone to fill this opening.
"The selection process is intended to promote fairness and base promotions on performance, both past job performance and performance during the selection process," Schroeder said. "That's why we rely on individuals outside our organization."
Schroeder intends for Missouri Police Chief's Association Executive Director Sheldon Lineback and Jefferson City Human Resources Director Gail Strope to be involved in the selection process.
"Since we are choosing a captain, the likelihood that the person appointed is currently holding the position of lieutenant is high," Schroeder said. "Therefore, we will conduct a selection process for lieutenant and, by extension, for sergeant. It is reasonable to expect that, when the process is completed in approximately two months, I will have appointed a new sergeant, lieutenant and captain. Their specific duty assignments will be determined upon their appointment."