JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Jefferson City Police Department is losing one of the longtime leaders of the department. Captain Doug Shoemaker is departing the Capital City after being named the new police chief for Grand Junction, Colorado.
The city manager for Grand Junction on Tuesday announced that he was appointing Shoemaker to the position effective Jun 18 after selecting him from a list of three other finalists and 34 other applicants.
I’m deeply humbled by this appointment – the chance to work with the outstanding employees of @GrandJunctionPD is indeed an honor. https://t.co/YFcEUXeYtt
— Doug Shoemaker (@DShoemakerJCPD) May 15, 2018
“While we had a strong slate of finalists for this position, Doug rose to the top by being able to demonstrate not only his preparedness for this role, but also his sincere desire to become our next chief,” Grand Junction City Manager Greg Caton said.
Shoemaker has served with JCPD for more than a quarter of a century, the last 12 of which he has served at a command level, including responsibilities with regard to detectives, narcotics, community services, traffic and public affairs.
In his time in Jefferson City, Shoemaker has also been involved in the community, being active in volunteering with the United Way of Central Missouri and the Boys & Girls Club of Jefferson City.
“I feel very fortunate to have served these past 26 years with the Jefferson City Police Department,” Shoemaker told the Jefferson City News Tribune. “Members of our community have always been very supportive of law enforcement, and I’m a firm believer such support is a cornerstone of our success as a police agency. While not a native of Jefferson City, I have always felt at home here and very honored to have served the citizens of Jefferson City.”
Benjamin Peters was a reporter for The Missouri Times and Missouri Times Magazine and also produced the #MoLeg Podcast. He joined The Missouri Times in 2016 after working as a sports editor and TV news producer in mid-Missouri. Benjamin is a graduate of Missouri State University in Springfield.
