West Plains, MO – With the retirement of Chief Stephen Monticelli, Lieutenant Brian Bunch has been named Interim Police Chief. Bunch, a long-serving and highly experienced member of the West Plains Police Department, will assume leadership of the department during this transitional period.
Bunch brings nearly three decades of law enforcement experience to the role, having served with the West Plains Police Department since 1997. Throughout his tenure, he has been promoted through the ranks from Corporal to Sergeant and has held the position of Lieutenant since January 2018. His extensive experience includes overseeing complex law enforcement operations, public safety initiatives, and administrative functions within the department.
As Interim Police Chief, Bunch will be responsible for leading the department’s daily operations, managing personnel, and ensuring the safety and security of the West Plains community. His background includes expertise in homicide investigations, crisis situations, internal affairs, budgeting, public affairs, purchasing, and payroll. Additionally, he has successfully led squads A & B, supervised dispatch and canine units, managed scheduling, and played a pivotal role in securing and overseeing grants for the department.
Bunch is a graduate of the Springfield Police Department’s Basic Law Enforcement Course and has completed over 3,000 hours of specialized training, including his Leadership Trilogy through FBI-LEEDA. His qualifications include extensive experience in front-line supervision, major case investigations, and emergency operations.
For more information, please contact the City of West Plains at (417) 256-7176.
Advertisement
