West Plains, Mo. – The West Plains Police Department celebrated the promotion of three of their personnel and identified the second Canine Officer for the Department. The three promotions were celebrated in a Pinning Ceremony on Wednesday, December 8, 2021, at 3:00 PM at the Police Department with family members, friends, members of the Police Department, and members of City Council in attendance.
Patrol Officer Colter Reid was promoted to FTO/Corporal
Officer Reid is a Missouri Native and has been with the West Plains Police Department since April 2020. Colter is a diligent worker, being incredibly positive in his duties and a mature individual that can make quick decisions when necessary. He is currently a Police Instructor in several specialties and performs exceptionally in the job of teaching personnel. He is currently a member of the West Plains Special Response Team and is a member of the Crisis Negotiation Team.
Reid is always willing to respond as needed to cover shifts, special events and work details as needed. He rarely misses work for sickness and can be counted on daily. A supervisor commented, “Officer Reid is always trying to promote department harmony and teach officer safety to his fellow officers.” Reid attempts to improve the general culture of the organization all the time and is what we need in our supervisors and FTOs. Corporal Reid was pinned by his father RD Reid.
Corporal Joshua Wichowski was promoted to Sergeant
Sergeant Wichowski began his career with the West Plains Police Department on January 5, 2019; coming from Springfield Police Department, Florida where he served as a Police Officer from October 2016 to December 2019. Joshua was promoted to the rank of Corporal in June 2020 and is a member of the West Plains Special Response Team, Crisis Negotiations Team and an active Field Training Officer. Corporal Wichowski is the supervisor of Sector Three and takes an active part in the planning of Geographic Events for that sector.
Corporal Wichowski has a positive attitude and has strong written and verbal communication skills. He is often commented on by the quality of his reports and investigations. Joshua will be a positive addition to the supervisory staff of the Police Department and has acted in a Sergeant’s role prior to his promotion. Sergeant Wichowski was pinned by his wife Caitlin.
Detective Brandon Romans was promoted to Sergeant
Romans is a Missouri Native and has been with the West Plains Police Department since 2006 when he was hired as a Police Officer. Romans has been married for eighteen years and is the father of three. He is currently assigned as a Detective, a position he obtained in 2019, and is the Department’s Field Sobriety Instructor and a Type II Operator, whereas he takes care of all the Intoxilyzer Equipment.
Brandon applied for Supervisor which is his Career Goal to achieve. He has some college education in his background. Officer Romans manages his calls with confidence and investigates his calls on his own. Roman requires little guidance from supervisors and is an exceptionally good communicator with individuals that he deals with. Officer Romans has been described as a well-rounded officer that can oversee multiple tasks with ease.
Sergeant Romans was pinned by his wife Jessica.
Chief Monticelli commented that the three individuals promoted will make outstanding additions to the leadership team of the West Plains Police Department.
Patrol Officer Micah (Brent) McKemie has been named the Department’s second Canine Officer.
Officer McKemie came to the Police Department almost two years ago and has been an exceptional employee. He has a high interest in Narcotic Investigations and getting dangerous drugs off our streets. McKemie has been working with Corporal Stuart, our present Canine Officer and had traveled to our current Master Instructor in Joplin, Missouri to learn as much as he could prior to putting in for the position. In the past, McKemie studied Public Speaking in college and is comfortable with dogs as he worked with sixty dogs at a kennel when he was younger at a breeder. Officer McKemie is an Ambassador for the Police Department that attempts to actively recruit for the Police Department and has a wonderful genuine, positive, attitude.
Officer McKemie will be acquainted with his Canine Partner and be attending Canine School on January 3, 2022.
The positions will all take effect on Monday, December 13, 2021.
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