Department History
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HISTORY
In 1963 the University of Kansas City joined the University of Missouri system and was thereafter known as the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC). In November 1963 Harvey Cottle, a member of the Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department was appointed Director of the newly established UMKC Traffic Safety and Security Department. Chief Cottle was the lone person of this department and was charged to develop the direction and policies and procedures of the Department.
In June 1964 Chief Cottle hired Ron Mason as Deputy Chief. Deputy Chief Mason also had his roots in law enforcement with the Kansas City , Missouri , Police Department. Chief Cottle and Deputy Chief Mason established the mission of the Traffic and Safety Department to, “Enforce parking regulations, patrol the campus, investigate crime, and oversee lost and found.” In June and July of 1964 four persons were hired and the six persons then representing the Department were authorized under Missouri State Statute as security guards and also received law enforcement authority with Kansas City Missouri Police Department reserve commissions. In 1966 all security guards employed by the department received Jackson County Sheriff's Department commissions as authority to enforce State Statutes.
The department grew rapidly and by 1967 a total of 40 persons were employed as security guards by the UMKC Traffic and Safety Department. During this time all employees began attending the Missouri State Highway Patrol Basic Police Academy.
In September 1967 Chief Cottle left the department to teach at a Junior College which was the beginning of a regional police academy, and Ron Mason was appointed Chief of the UMKC Traffic and Safety Department. Harvey Cottle soon returned as the Chief of the University of Missouri-Columbia Traffic and Safety Department in Columbia , Missouri , from 1968 to 1970. Chief Cottle returned to UMKC in 1971 and Chief Mason was appointed Chief at the University of Missouri-Columbia campus.
In 1971 the UMKC Traffic and Safety Department became the UMKC Police Department and all police officers began attending the Regional Training Academy administered by the Kansas City Missouri Police Department.
In 1985, with the sudden death of Chief Cottle, Assistant Chief Jerry Garrett became the Chief of Police until his retirement in late 2000. Chief Scott Shelton was appointed Chief of Police in January 2001. Prior to coming to the UMKC Police Department, Chief Shelton served as interim Chief of Police on the Columbia campus and had been with the University of Missouri-Columbia Police Department for 25 years.
In the spring of 2001 a planning committee, chaired by the leadership of Sergeant Pat Koontz, began developing a five year strategic plan. The vision, mission and values were established. The current mission statement is as follows:
“The fundamental mission of the University Police force is to provide the leadership and professional support required to sustain and improve the University System's efforts to develop a balanced police-University community effort against any lawlessness or disorderly conduct which could interfere with the general missions of the University System. As such, the UMKC Police Department is an essential university partner promoting a safe and orderly learning environment and enhanced quality of life with a reduction of crime, social disorder and fear of crime.”
In early 2002 the UMKC Police Department worked with the Kansas City Police Department, their legal counsel and the University of Missouri System General Counsel to establish a memorandum of understanding that gives authority to all UMKC police officers to enforce Kansas City ordinances. This is in addition to already established Missouri statute authority of all commissioned UMKC police officers to enforce state statutes as granted to Missouri peace officers certified by the State of Missouri .
Leadership
1963-1967 Chief Harvey Cottle
1967-1970 Chief Ron Mason
1971-1985 Chief Harvey Cottle
1985-2000 Chief Jerry Garrett
2001-Present Chief Scott Shelton
Captain Mike Bongartz
Captain Don Simmons
The history of the UMKC Police Department included several physical locations on campus. The Department was first housed in a temporary Army barracks, and moved to two different locations, in houses on campus, before residing in our current location. The current locations, at 4825 Troost, is a multipurpose use building that includes the campus radio station, KCUR, Counseling Health and Testing, Missouri Repertory offices, Business Office, Psychology Department, Mail room, and other support units for the campus.
University of Missouri-Kansas City Police Department
4825 Troost
Kansas City , MO 64110
(816) 235-1515
