One of Poplar Bluff’s longest tenured public servants is calling it a career.
Poplar Bluff Police Department Chief Danny Whiteley announced his retirement from the force, effective Sept. 9, in a press release from the City of Poplar Bluff Tuesday morning. Whiteley has served as PBPD Chief for more than 22 years, longer than any Chief of Police in the city’s history.
“First I want to thank (then) city manager Dr. Tom Lawson, who hired me, (plus) city managers Doug Bagby, Mark Massingham and Matt Winters, who have allowed me to remain in my position as Chief of such a great department,” Whiteley said. “I owe my success to our now-retired and all the current staff of men and women law enforcement professionals of the Poplar Bluff Police Department, that I have had the honor to serve with as officers, co-workers, and friends.”
Tuesday’s press released praised Whiteley for leading the PBPD through a variety of challenges, including the ice storm of 2009 and other ice storms, the COVID-19 pandemic and the simultaneous civil unrest that occurred nationally in 2020. The release went on to say they department weathered the challenges faced during Whiteley’s time as chief as a result of its professionalism and adherence to the professional standards established by the Commission on the Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies.
The release also praised Whiteley for excelling at at community outreach and developing a wide range of partners not only locally, but with regional, state and federal agencies as well — and for finding new and creative ways to engage those partners to better protect the citizens of Poplar Bluff.
“It has been an honor working with Chief Whiteley,” Winters said. “He has shown an unwavering commitment to our city and developed partnerships throughout the region to address challenging public safety concerns.”
Poplar Bluff Mayor Steve Davis said he has known Whiteley for several years through Davis’s service on the city council. He also praised Whiteley’s service to the city.
“Chief Whiteley has been a tenacious and dedicated lawman for Poplar Bluff for over two decades,” Davis said. “I think he loved his job and wanted to help protect the town where he grew up. He was a good uniter and tried his best to bring the community together during challenging times. He came from a family of public service, so I believe this was at the heart of what he did wanting to carry on a good work and make the community a better and safer place.
“He didn’t confine himself to just local law enforcement efforts, but reached out to other local, state and federal agencies to share his knowledge and work along side to make a positive difference for the whole region. … Whenever there was a major event in the city, regardless of the time, he would let the city manager and council know what was happening. He didn’t just delegate. As far as the city, he actually brought our law enforcement into the 21st century.”
While Whiteley’s successor has not been chosen yet, Winters said the process of doing so will begin soon.
“We will be posting the job advertisement soon and will be advertising for the chief’s replacement,” Winters said. “I will be gathering a panel of law enforcement officials to be a part of the interview process.”