Department keeps growing

The Oak Grove Police Department is a busy
place, despite covering only 4.8 square miles.
The department operates from the former
ambulance building, at 1903 S. Broadway.
But, with 15 officers, one administrative assistant,
a civilian employee, a detective, a
school resource officer, three volunteer chaplains
and multiple volunteers who serve in a
variety of capacities, the department has
nearly outgrown the one-story building, said
Chief Bob Muenz.
Muenz, who’s been the head of the
department since 2002, was a police officer
in Warrenton, Mo. before accepting the lead
position in Oak Grove. Muenz, who grew up
in Wright City, Mo., initially was hired as a
supervisor, or corporal, before being promoted.
“I love working in Oak Grove,” said
Muenz, 40. “It’s a good community with
great citizens – just a great place to work.”
Calls to the department, or calls from within
Oak Grove that are made to 911, are routed
through the Jackson County Sheriff’s
Office, since Oak Grove has no dispatching
services, Muenz said. The department,
formed in 1999, had its first homicide in
2007, which was the result of domestic violence,
he said.
In 2007, the last year for which full statistics
are available, the department cleared 98
cases with an additional 12 pending and 19
in preparation for warrant arrests. That same
year, the department worked a total of 205
cases. In 2008, the department is operating
on an overall budget of $900,900.
In addition to the usual police department’s
crime-related work, department officials
also host several special events throughout
the year. These include child car seat
inspections, a holiday heroes program and
back-to-school night with a hero, in which
officers and firefighters shop with local disadvantaged
children for school supplies and
Christmas gifts. The department also hosts a
victim’s rights golf tournament fundraiser
and participates in a memorial service to
honor fallen officers in conjunction with
departments throughout the world.
The department also hosts a 10-week citizens
academy.