SC CHIEF REFLECTS ON FIRST 6 MONTHS

SCOTT CITY -- Police Chief Danny Clubb is pleased that he survived his first six months as head of the Scott City Police Department.

"I got into a lot more than I thought I would," Clubb said about accepting the position in June. "I feel that we've accomplished a lot over the last six months."

The city council agreed this week that the position belongs to Clubb on a permanent basis after a six-month review of his performance.

"Chief Danny Clubb has done an excellent job the last six months," said Mayor Larry Forhan. "He took over at a difficult time. With his skill and knowledge, he has built the department back to 100 percent efficiency.

"He has instituted some training programs in the department, and through his leadership, several major crimes have been solved in the area," Forhan said.

The department has 100 percent of its budgeted road officers again. Clubb has hired five officers since June 6, bringing the total to eight, counting himself.

"When I took over as police chief, I also had to work as a road officer," Clubb said. "I didn't have any days off and there were a lot of long hours."

With a full force, the department is clearing up a lot more crimes, like burglaries and thefts, Clubb said. There are several younger officers on the department -- "sharp young men," Clubb said.

"If we can keep top-quality guys coming in, we'll make a lot more progress on crime control in the city," Clubb said.

He's working with city officials to increase the pay for the police department. Clubb said some of his officers are getting their training here and then moving on to better paying jobs in other cities.

Clubb said he could use two more additional people -- a DARE officer to teach the drug-resistance program to youngsters and a full-time investigator.

"If Lady Luck comes to town, we'll need some additional people," Clubb said. "We'll have a crowd in town so we'll have to protect the visitors to our city."

Clubb, 57, has been in the Scott City Police Department for over 12 years. He has 17 years experience with the Cape Girardeau Police Department.

He said he learned his leadership style as a Cape Girardeau officer who worked his way up to lieutenant.

"In supervisor's school, I learned that I used a democratic type of leadership," Clubb said. "That's the best kind if you can accomplish it -- being able to have people do what you want without being a dictator."

Clubb said he is starting to delegate more of the duties in the local department. He said he tries to give each officer something extra to be responsible for.

"I don't believe in wasting talent," he said.