Poplar Bluff police chief Mike McClain retires after 30 years of dedicated service

Poplar Bluff Police Department Chief Mike McClain has decided to retire. Interim Chief J.R. Keirsey will serve in McClain’s place while the city finds a replacement.

The information was shared Friday with the Daily American Republic that he was stepping down after 30 years with the PBPD.

“I have decided to retire,” McClain said. “I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to serve the citizens of Poplar Bluff for 30 years. I am looking forward to focusing my time on family and friends. It’s been a pleasure.”

Keirsey will serve in McClain’s place while the city decides on next steps, Robert Knodell, city manager, said Friday afternoon.

“Chief McClain is going to be taking some leave time until his retirement date,” Knodell said. “We certainly wish him well and are appreciative of his career with the department.”

The city will be taking the next 30-45 days to figure out a path forward for the next chief, Knodell said.

McClain was named chief in October 2022 after the retirement of longtime Chief Danny Whiteley. McClain not only helped lead the transition following Whiteley’s retirement but coordinated much of the department’s move into the new station on Shelby Road.

McClain has been a member of the PBPD since March 6, 1995, after working for the Dunklin County Sheriff’s Department. He was named deputy chief in September 2019.

McClain is a Certified Accident Reconstructionist, one of the departments Certified Firearms Instructors, an A.S.P Baton Defensive Tactics Instructor, a S.H.A.R.P. Certified Instructor, a Weapons of Mass Destruction Instructor and a Field Training Officer, according to the department. Along with these titles McClain is a D.W.I. Victim’s Advocate.

Additional information will be shared as it becomes available.

This article was updated at 5:13 p.m. March 7.