History of the department

             The Anderson area was settled well before the Civil War by some of the pioneering families of McDonald County. In 1886 the present town site was beginning to take shape and in 1887 Robert Anderson settled here and started a little country store and eventually a post office, named of course Anderson.  In 1891 the town was plotted and laid out, Main Street and surrounding area to 59 Highway and Mill Street being the original area of the town.

             The Anderson Police Department was formed in 1982, by popular vote in an election. Prior to this Anderson had a Town Marshal and Deputies who operated out of the original Jail located next to the rail road tracks between Apple Street and Main Street. Since 1982 we have operated 24 hours a day, 7 days a week 365 days a year.  We have only had 3 Police Chief’s since 1982 with Jerry Hatfield being the longest in office at 23 years.

CURRENT OPERATIONS AND EQUIPMENT

             As of January 1st 2013 the Anderson Police Department is authorized for 5 Full-Time Officers which include the Chief of Police, Assistant Chief of Police, Field Supervisor and 2 Patrol Officers. We operate with 3 patrol units, a 2010 Dodge Charger, 2009 Ford Crown Victoria and 2012 Ford F-150. We are currently members of the Southwest Missouri Cyber Crimes Taskforce, Southwest Missouri Drug Task Force, Tri-State Major Case, The Missouri Sheriff’s Association as well as assisting the Anderson Betterment Club. We see an average of 6’000 plus calls for service in a given year ranging from animal complaints to more serious crimes such as homicide and assault.

 

             We are currently capable of investigations of all types whether it is traffic related, crashes or criminal investigations. We operate with state of the art records systems and continually seek advanced training in patrol and investigation techniques.