SAYS RECENTLY RETIRED POLICE CHIEF
Joe Wellington isn’t sure how his father’s career as a photographer at The Kansas City Star influenced his decision to enter law enforcement. But the 68-year-old always has believed it was somehow at least partially responsible.
Whatever the trigger, he’s eternally grateful it led to a long, fulfilling career with three local law enforcement agencies, where he had the opportunity to interact with and serve the public.
In early high school, he decided to pursue the law enforcement path, planning, upon high school graduation, to enroll at the police academy and remain in the field at least a few years.
Earlier this month, Wellington retired from his latest post as chief of the Platte City Police Department after crossing the half-century milestone. Obviously, law enforcement was a good fit.
“If I could turn the clock back, I wouldn’t change a thing,” said the family man who lives in Gower, his wife Jacquelyn’s hometown. Combined, the couple has five children from previous relationships.
After completing work at the police academy, he began a long-time stint at the Kansas City Police Department, where he worked in the South Patrol unit. Wellington credits his longevity in the field with a positive approach.
“Anybody that does this job for very long” sees things that could cause you to become negative, he said. That’s why “you always start out on the good side,” meaning expecting the best. He has worked hard to remain open minded and “generally gets along with anybody,” he said.
However, Wellington said he has noticed some changes in the public’s attitude during his tenure, creating challenges.
“There used to be a lot of respect for authority, whether teachers or parents…people don’t respect authority like they used to.” Perhaps as a result, the public also can be more demanding than in the past.
Wellington was forced to adapt to rapidly-changing technology, which includes not just computers, but also the creation of new police equipment. He also noticed changes after working in the larger Kansas City Police Department, where there was more crime, then switching to a much smaller department in Gower. He switched departments due to a Kansas City Police mandate that requires officers move on after serving 30 years.
In that small town, life moved at a slower pace and there was less crime, he said, adding that there’s less crime, but fewer officers, so he played a more active role in addition to managing administrative duties as chief.
About 14 years later, he took over as chief in Platte City, where he served for six years and from where he retired earlier this month.
Wellington said he has some basic advice for new officers, including to “be fair and be yourself.” Sometimes new recruits whose parents are, or have been officers, will adopt a demeanor similar to that of their parents. But officers are more successful if they “know their strengths,” he said.
Wellington credited the city staff and other officers for the department’s success.
“Anytime any person is successful, it’s due to the people around them,” he said. “We have a great administration and crew and that’s why we had a successful police department.”
Wellington especially is proud of a grown son, who works for the Kansas City Police Department, where he serves in an undercover role.
Although he has retired as police chief and city officials named Jeff Wilson as his replacement, Wellington continues in a temporary role as part-time assistant city administrator.
For now, Wellington is working with interim city administrator D.J. Gehrt, who has returned in that role as city officials search for a permanent administrator.
In addition, Wellington will not only remain in the assistant position until a full-time administrator is hired but also can remain to assist in transitioning a new administrator, Gehrt said.
Wellington’s willingness to remain in the position as long as needed is a testament to his character.
“He’s a huge help to me,” Gehrt said, “and will be even more to that new person,” he said.
Mayor Steve Hoeger said Wellington was chief in November of 2023 when Platte City experienced a rare homicide in the parking lot of a fast food restaurant.
Wellington did not hesitate to realize that his department lacked adequate personnel to investigate the crime. He called in a joint task force to manage the investigation.
As for Wellington’s plans in retirement, he has few except he hopes to travel, which includes continuing to meet former Kansas City Police Department peers for fishing trips and spending time with his four grandchildren. He said, “I’m still trying to figure that out, I guess.”
