JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Gov. Jay Nixon announced in a press release that he was naming former Joplin Police Chief Lane Roberts as his new nominee to direct the Department of Public Safety.
The nomination of Lane comes a few weeks after the abrupt departure of DPS Director Dan Isom, who held the post for only six months after his nomination by Nixon following the shooting of Michael Brown by Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson. Isom is a former police chief of the City of St. Louis, and served from September of 2014 until late last month.
Lane served as Joplin’s police chief for about seven years, including a critical role in the aftermath of the devastating F-5 tornado that struck in May of 2011 that left more than 150 people dead and nearly $3 billion in damages.
“Both in the immediate aftermath of the tornado and during the rebuilding process that followed, the people of Joplin saw Chief Roberts’ compassionate and courageous leadership in action,” Nixon said in a statement. “Lane’s extraordinary skills, experience and leadership abilities will make him an invaluable asset to the Department of Public Safety and all Missourians.”
Roberts served four tours in the U.S. Air Force and as a police chief in both Washington state and Oregon. He was named Missouri Police Chief of the Year by the Missouri Police Chiefs Association and since his retirement he’s worked as a Criminal Justice instructor at Crowder College.
Roberts’ confirmation is subject to the approval of the Missouri Senate, who won’t return to the Capitol for official business until the first week in April following the legislative spring break.
Collin Reischman was the Managing Editor for The Missouri Times, and a graduate of Webster University with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.
