MPD Chief Dennis Cupp plans retirement

Ruth Hollenbeck required students in her high school class to make a list of life goals. Dennis Cupp was in one of those classes and at the top of his list was police officer. Then he added chief.

It wasn’t long after that high school class that Cupp met the first goal when he joined the Moberly Police Department. Three years ago, he was appointed chief.

“It was something I always wanted to do,” said Cupp.

Now after 33 years, Chief Dennis Cupp is retiring.

“Everybody has to pick a time,” he said. “I’m ready to enjoy some of the things that I haven’t been able to enjoy.”

Cupp officially started his law enforcement career at age 21 but he was involved in the area long before. He was a member of the Law Enforcement Explorer program in high school. After high school, he attended MACC then took classes at what is now Truman State University. He got an internship with the MPD watching officers use the radio (for dispatching).

“You had to be an officer back then to use the radio, there were no civilians like we have today,” he said.

With his internship coming to a close, the young Cupp began applying for spots, with no luck.

“The last day of my internship was March 4, 1977. Chief Leberman offered me a job and I went to work Sunday on the midnight watch. I had Mondays and Tuesdays off so I could finish my criminal justice degree.”

After a series of promotions, Cupp was assigned as Commander of the Criminal Investigation Division in 1989. He became Major/Assistant Chief of Police in 1993, lieutenant colonel in 1998 and was appointed as Chief of Police in 2007 following the retirement of long-time colleague Chief Michael Garbulski.

Since the tenure of Randolph County Sheriff Orville Price, detectives on the Moberly Police Department were dually commissioned with both entities. When Sheriff Mark Nichols took office, that policy changed to include the entire police department.

“He came in and did a mass swearing-in,” said Cupp. “The bad guys don’t care who’s responsible for them. The cooperation we have had through the years with other counties has always been really good.”

Cupp took over grant writing responsibilities in 1991 and has obtained about $2.5 million in funds from local, state and federal sources.

A portion of these monies has gone to establish the North Missouri Drug Task Force which was created in 1998. The task force works undercover with other law enforcement agencies, mainly on drug cases.

“They can do things that we can’t,” said Cupp.

The Task Force is multi-jurisdictional and can cross county lines when investigating a case. Today, according to Cupp, the Task force serves approximately 114,000 people in 18 north Missouri cities and counties.

Grant money has been spent closer to home to provide security for school children, also.

The D.A.R.E. program started in the 90’s with Buck Young as the part-time officer. That position turned into a School Resource Officer, a partner with the school system to serve as a liaison between the schools and the police department.

“It was nothing but a win-win situation,” said Cupp.

Cupp got Secure Our School grants through Community Policing – Department of Justice. Starting by adding lighting to various areas in the school district, there is security in every school now, thanks to the grants.

One of the things Cupp is proud of is the connections he has made through various training conferences and associations. The Rolla police captain is a classmate of Cupp’s and he sent a note of appreciation when that department arrested the alleged bank robber that hit several banks in the state including Moberly.

“I’ve made a lot of contacts,” said Cupp. “They help us and we help them. It’s good to have that contact with other departments.”

Additional achievements started by Chief Cupp include:

- Major upgrade of police department communications system

- Started the Moberly Police Citizens Academy

- Started the Crime-free multi housing program

- Implemented the code Red and Weather Alert System

- Started the police department’s first bike patrol

- Obtained from highway safety the BAT (blood alcohol testing) van

- Upgraded and completed Phase II Wireless for 911 System

- Implemented Crime Analysis Mapping

- Implemented process for accreditation as a State Law Enforcement agency.

Cupp also teaches at the police academy at MACC which he helped start and will remain on the advisory board.

“It is a valuable, valuable asset, not only to Moberly but other states where some of the graduates have gone to work,” said Cupp.

Budget has been a concern with the downturn in the economy. But Cupp said with the three budgets he has been involved with as chief, the department has always come under budget, even with the recent $90,000 in cuts, the department is still way under budget without having lost any officers.

With sons Kyle and Kristopher going through the MHS football program, Cupp became a staunch Spartan fan and of MACC basketball, as well. Although youngest son Kris graduates Sunday, Cupp plans to maintain those ties with the sports programs.

Cupp called naming Assistant Chief Russell Tarr as his replacement “a good thing”.

“He is a hometown boy and wants to see this department stay progressive like I did,” said Cupp.

Cupp can make sure that happens. While he will be retired officially, he will still work about eight hours per week, mainly doing grant writing and doing reports on which the FBI crime index is based.

A reception will be held for Chief Cupp and his family from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 18, at Moberly City Hall. A change of command ceremony will take place May 28.