After a months-long search process, Excelsior Springs has a new Chief of Police. Gregory Dull, a 31 year veteran of the Kansas City Missouri Police Department was officially sworn into office on Monday, January 3rd at the Hall of Waters. Dull, who is married with five children, is originally from Shawnee Mission, KS. He said he and his wife have visited Excelsior Springs multiple times over the years and they have wanted to move to this area for some time. Dull says he’s happy to have the ability to work in a more intimate setting, “I’m excited to be here and I’m looking forward to getting plugged into the community,” he declared.
Dull says he’s done “most every aspect of police work” while working with the KCMO Police. He spent ten years working in specialized units including the tactical response team moving up the ranks as a sergeant and “two stints as captain.” Dull spent a number of years on patrol with the street crimes unit dealing with issues such as narcotics, gangs, illegal firearms, and working with the vice squad which helped stop human trafficking and child pornography. “It was a very fast-paced environment, with lots of moving parts,” he noted.
As a major with the KCMO Police, Dull served as director of their police academy for several years. During that time he spent 16 months as the Acting Deputy Chief overseeing their policy and procedures section where he said his knowledge and understanding of crafting policies grew substantially. Dull stressed the importance that policies play for our public servants. “Polices are such an important part of what we do, they guide officers’ conduct and behavior out there,” said Dull. He says for the first few months on the job he will be observing, learning, and reading policies, and looking for gaps that could create liability for the department.
Dull says he doesn’t see the need for any major changes immediately. He says that he thinks he can ultimately help to build on the good things the department is doing here in Excelsior Springs. He noted that he has been made aware of the need to recruit and retain officers to the force and added he’d like to make recruiting locally a priority. Recruiting local kids, so they have that connection to the community, will hopefully make them more likely to stay, he said. He added he’s also a fan of the School Resource Officer (SRO) program and sees that as a natural progression linked towards recruiting locals. He also has some ideas for long-term recruitment at the high school level, possibly starting an “explorers program” or sponsoring aspiring officers’ education at the college level.
Excitement for the addition of Dull within the department is already quite high, and he says he’s looking forward to working with the community to continue the trend of positive growth. “I love the human interaction and working with others to solve problems,” he concluded.
There needs to be extensive training of officers for dealing with mental health issues. I have personally seen officers with my special needs son harass, and, literally, “bully” him. I’m not sure if they believed he is on the spectrum, or if the fact that he is black played a factor. However, if officers want to receive respect from young people, they also have to show it.
I don’t know many officers personally, but I do know Officer Dull and his family. He is an honorable man, patient and kind, and respectful to others. He will be a blessing to this community.
Respect our constitutional rights and quit running a $ racket with the courts and “Northland Dependency” type private probations.
A lot of intimidation from some of the officers,everyone is not a criminal or a liar. If you want respect give respect.
Excelsior Springs is blessed to have this man as their Chief of Police! He is honest, patient, hard working, and has integrity. He will impact this community in a very positive way!
I support law enforcement all the way. My grandson has already got an officer that is his favorite. That is officer Champion. Officer Champion is so good with my grandson. My grandson has autism and he loves visiting the police department and seeing officer Champion. Know my grandson said he wants to grow up and be like officer Champion. Officer Champion is so kind to my grandson and knows how to deal with him and talk to him. Officer Champion is a wonderful police officer well they are all wonderful for serving and protecting us. Welcome to be the new police chief. I would love to help in the community but I don’t know what I can do.
I welcome Officer Dull and hope that he ‘Serves and Protects’ under the Constitution of this country.
Greg will make an excellent police chief! He has incredible integrity and wisdom.