Family, friends and staff of the Grandview Police Department were in attendance at the Grandview Board of Alderman meeting on Tuesday, May 18 for the special pinning ceremony of a new police chief.
Captain Richard Rodgers will replace Chief Charles Iseman upon his retirement on Friday, May 22nd. Chief Iseman has led the Grandview Police Department for 15 years and has served with the department for 35 years. He retires at the age of 57.
The new Chief stood with family members in the City Hall rotunda as Mayor Leonard Jones read a proclamation outlining Rodgers’ career in the police force.
Rodgers has served at the command level for the past 14 years. He first joined Grandview PD in 1999 after working briefly as a police officer in Greenwood. He worked for every division serving as an operator and commander on the SWAT team and conducting assignments with the Honor Guard, Field Training Program, Special Operations and Communications.
Beyond his service, Rodgers earned degrees with a Bachelor of Science in Police Administration from Park University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Central Missouri. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy, Class 252.
Rodgers thanked Grandview for placing their trust in him. “I appreciate it,” he said. He went on to thank the department heads, Chief Iseman, family members and the “men and women of the police department.” There were about 17 members of the police department standing in attendance.
“He genuinely cares about you, about Grandview,” said his wife Britten Bolenbaugh. “I’m very proud of him.”
Rodgers was welcomed to his new role by the alderman, who shook his hand before adjourning to a planned work session.
Chief Iseman shared with the Telegraph that post-retirement plans include travel and volunteer work.