Thank you, Chief Person
Published on March 31, 2021
After more than 40 years’ service in the Belton Police Department, the last 32 as police chief, James Person is retiring. Effective April,1, 2021, Chief Person will trade his desk for a chair on the wrap-around porch, or a saddle on one of his horses, at the farm in southeastern Cass County he and his wife, Debbie, are moving to full-time.
“It feels like we have accomplished quite a bit,” said Person, “and it is time for me to move on.”
For someone who never thought he would be a cop, who went to college on a music scholarship (trombone and vocal) and was thinking about law school or social work, Person has managed to make quite a mark in the Belton community and the law enforcement profession.
· Participated in the design and oversaw the move into the then-new (1988) police station as well as its 2009 expansion.
· Embraced technology, supervising over the era during which the Belton Police Department was the first in the area to have in-car video (in the VHS era!), and among the first to have in-car data terminals, automated ticket writers, computerized records later linked to the court system, automated fingerprint identification, officer body cameras and, more recently, auto license plate readers.
· Managed the growth of the department as it went from 20-plus commissioned and clerical staff to nearly 70 that includes jailers, dispatchers, animal control and clerical positions.
· Served the state of Missouri on its 9-11 Service Board working doggedly for years to establish a mechanism to close a funding gap that left many Missouri counties without the means to pay for this vital public safety service; on the State Board for Integration of Criminal Justice Information Systems to connect online communications statewide among law enforcement, the courts, prosecutors and corrections; and on the Task Force of Criminal Justice, representing law enforcement in court reform recommendations to the Missouri Supreme Court.
· He also is retiring from the Metro Squad Board of Directors and is the current chairman of the Cass Community Health Foundation.
Practically a native of Belton, Person’s family moved here when he was three. His father, a minister, pastored Belton Christian Church. His mother was a music teacher in the Belton School District. Person and his five siblings graduated from Belton High School and he went on to get his bachelor’s in administration of justice/sociology with an eye toward a career in juvenile justice. Person later earned a master’s degree in public administration.
He did achieve that youthful goal, serving as a juvenile officer with the rank of detective for the city of Belton but, he had to start as a police officer first. He went through Kansas City’s Police Academy and after eight years with the Belton Police Department, taking on roles of increasing responsibility, he became its chief at the age of 30.
Out of a lifetime of work, Person called out the department’s collaboration with the schools and the creation, with Dr. Kenny Southwick, former superintendent of schools, of Belton Cares, the drug- and alcohol-free, high school post-graduation parties they hosted and that continue to this day.
“There are several events throughout the year – poster contests, cook outs at football games, school assemblies – hosted for students, all substance-free,” said Person. “That good relationship has continued with Dr. Andy Underwood. We have really enjoyed the close relationship. It is a true partnership.”
There have been notable challenges over the years. Belton has doubled in size since Person started his career and calls for service have multiplied accordingly. “Belton is a commerce draw for all of South Kansas City and Cass County,” he said. “While most of our crime is still property related, there is a significant difference in volume. The combined Belton-Raymore metro area has 50,000-plus people and we have a daytime transient population of more than 100,000.”
The novel coronavirus pandemic has proved another challenge. There are ongoing conflicts in the understanding of or appreciation for what should be done to protect one’s own and the health of others. On a number of occasions, Person has offered calming words of empathy and common sense for all. He has long seen the relationship with Belton citizens as a partnership – the police need the assistance and cooperation of the community and the community needs faith in the police department that it will be there for them.
Person has been there for Belton for most of his adult life and now he is turning his full attention to family. He and Debbie will go from being grandparents of two to grandparents of six by June, including a set of twins. He says he is looking forward to porch and saddle time. Those two seats may gather some dust in the near term.