Interim police chief named at New Bloomfield

Sgt. Justin Davison of the New Bloomfield Police Department has been appointed as New Bloomfield's interim police chief.

New Bloomfield Mayor Michael Lowe Sr. said Davison has agreed to serve as interim police chief, but did not want the job permanently. Lowe said Davison believes he could not devote enough time to the police chief job because of his other full-time job.

"Davison is well qualified for the job as interim police chief. We are fortunate that the Police Commission and the Board of Aldermen and I can take our time in selecting the new police chief because Davison said he would serve in the job until a new police chief is hired," Lowe said.

Applications are being accepted until March 15.

Lowe said six people have applied for the job so far, including one part-time New Bloomfield police officer.

Lowe said the Board of Aldermen will vote on those applying for the job.

Davison and his wife, Lindsey, are the parents of three children and live in Holts Summit. He has five years of experience as a commissioned police officer, which includes more than one year as patrol sergeant with the New Bloomfield Police Department. He ranked next to former Police Chief John Hatfield, who resigned to spend more time with his family.

Davison was commissioned recently as a deputy with the Cole County Sheriff's Reserves. He also has five years of experience as deputy sheriff with the Miller County Reserves and one year as a Lincoln University police officer.

As a New Bloomfield police officer, Sgt. Davison wrote a grant application and received a grant for the department's Officer Safety Improvement Program. The New Bloomfield Police Department was awarded a $4,342.10 state-administered federal grant to purchase equipment.

Davison also enrolled the New Bloomfield Police Department into the Missouri Highway Safety Department's Holiday DWI Enforcement Campaign.

New Bloomfield police officers participated in the enforcement campaign during the Christmas holidays and the city received a $300 grant to pay for the time of the officers participating in the expanded law enforcement effort.

Davison said New Bloomfield police will participate in another increased effort to apprehend drunk drivers the next few days from Thursday through Sunday.