After a national search, the Branson Police Department chose to promote from within to fill the role left vacant by its retired chief.
Selected for the role was Stanley Dobbins, who’s served since May as interim police chief after the retirement of Kent Crutcher, according to a news release.
Dobbins was one of four finalists picked by a panel of sitting Show-Me State police chiefs via the Missouri Police Chiefs Association in Jefferson City. The search conducted through July garnered 18 qualified applicants, and nine semifinalists were interviewed by the MPCA panel July 28-29. The candidates submitted written responses to various law enforcement challenges, presented a mock news conference for a high-stress situation and reviewed their management style, issue resolutions, methodologies, training and accolades.
Dobbins brings 36 years of law enforcement experience to the position, including four years as assistant Branson Police chief. His starting salary leading the 64-employee department is $98,000, said spokeswoman Jennifer Langford.
“Considering the critical importance of a role that assumes responsibility for public safety in a city that can have millions of people visiting on any given day, there were obvious components and considerations that only a panel of law enforcement experts could evaluate,” City Administrator Bill Malinen said in the release. “While city staff remained objective and committed to the recommendations of the expert MPCA panel, I was pleased and proud that Chief Dobbins surfaced as the most qualified candidate to assume the post.”
A former law enforcement officer in the Kansas City region, Dobbins’ record has zero unsolved serious or violent crimes, including homicides and aggravated assaults, according to the release.
“The citizens of this community are like family to me, and I take great pride in maintaining the safety of both our residents and guests,” he said in the release.
