CHIEF OF POLICE - Sam Hartsell - Badge #101

CHIEF OF POLICE - Sam Hartsell - Badge #101

SAM HARTSELL will have 40 years of law enforcement experience and training the last day of October this year, with the last 30 years serving as Chief of Police.  

Sam began his Law Enforcement career by joining the Greene County Sheriff’s Department as a reserve deputy sheriff in 1969 where he served as both Squad Leader and Department Training Officer. In 1973 he joined the ranks of the Republic Police Department when it began its service to the community and later became a full-time patrolman in 1975. He advanced to the position of Chief of Police in 1979. He served in this capacity until 2001. Sam served as Chief of Police in Cassville , Missouri in 2002 and later accepted the position of Chief of Police for the City of Centralia, Missouri where he served May of 2003 to March 2007. Sam presently serves as the Chief of Police in Buffalo, Missouri since his appointment August 25^th, 2008.

In 1981 Sam attained his National Certification in Professional Law Enforcement and attained recognition as “Top Shooter” at the State Law Enforcement Firearm’s Instructor School . He has received numerous awards and recognitions on the National, State and Local levels. He has  both served and chaired on various Law Enforcement, Executive Boards and Community Safety Groups. He was elected as Law Enforcement of the Year by the Springfield, Missouri Optimist Club in 1982 and in 1988 initiated and organized the Southwest Missouri Police Chief’s Task Force, serving as Charter President. He attained his State Certification in Fire Investigation in 1987, and is a 1997 Graduate of the Law Enforcement Training for the Chief Executive Officer at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Sam is a 1992 Graduate of the FBI’s Course in Law Enforcement Executive Development and a 1993 Graduate of the FBI National Academy. The FBI National Academy has long been a vital element in the continuing improvement of law enforcement standards, knowledge, and cooperation throughout the world. The National Academy experience and its sister program, "Field Police Training," provide a wide range of leadership and specialized training, as well as an opportunity for professional law enforcement officers to share ideas, techniques, and experiences. The curriculum focuses on leadership and management training and consists of courses relating to Management Science, Behavioral Science, Law, Education, Forensic Science and Health/Fitness. Following graduation each officer has the opportunity to join the FBI National Academy Associates, a dynamic organization of more than 25,000 law enforcement professionals who have played a significant role in developing a higher level of competency, cooperation, and integrity within the law enforcement community.

The FBI National Academy is considered the most prestigious law enforcement school available. The academy has long been a vital element in the continuing improvement of law enforcement standards, knowledge, and cooperation throughout the world. Once nominated, the Officers undergo an extensive background check and interview process. Admission to the FBI National Academy is very limited: only 1/2 of 1 percent of all law enforcement in the free world is invited by the Director of the FBI to attend the academy. Internationally know for its academic excellence, selected Law Enforcement officers with proven records as professionals from around the world, submit to concentrated studies of advanced investigative, management and demanding physical training for eleven weeks.  

Diplomatic Status in the American board of Law Enforcement Experts of the American College of Forensic Examiners was awarded to Sam in 1999. In 2001 he was elected 6^th Vice President of the NACOP (National Association Chief’s of Police), and honored with life membership in the IACP (International Association Chief’s of Police) for his active membership of over 20 Years. Sam was elected and served as Chairman of LETSAC, 2000 - 2002.  The Law Enforcement Traffic Safety Advisory Council, State of Missouri, is the primary traffic law enforcement group under the authority of Missouri Department of Transportation’s (MoDOT) Division of Highway Safety. The L.E.T.S.A.C. organization provides a link between the local law enforcement agencies, including city, county and state, and the Governor’s Highway Safety Office under the Department of Public Safety. Specifically the Organization provides training, information, services, and expert testimony to the General Assembly on a wide variety of requested issues. The organization holds an annual conference each summer to provide up-to-date training for attending traffic officers. In addition the organization has several standing committees that deal with a variety of issues that effect traffic and highway safety in Missouri . The board is made up of elected law enforcement officials in each of the M.S.H.P troops, as well as an appointed board member from Kansas City , St. Louis , and the M.S.H.P. He served as an active executive board member since 1991 and Past Chairman in 2003 and 2004. LETSAC works directly with the Missouri Department of Transportation’s Division of Highway Safety in promoting more effective traffic safety and enforcement efforts.  

Sam ’s hobby is cottonwood bark carving and is a member of the National Wood Carving Association.  He resides with his wife Patricia in Buffalo, Missouri. They have two sons, two daughters-in-law and five grandsons.

I have been a resident of MO all my life. I was born and raised in Springfield, MO. And I attended High school at Logan-Rogersville.

I served in the U.S Army in counter-intelligence and was stationed at Ft. Gordon, GA.  After the military I decided to pursue a career in law enforcement and graduated from Drury University law enforcement academy in Dec of 2009.  I enjoy helping people and being involved in the community and I am happy law enforcement gives me the opportunity to do just that. I am very honored to serve the citizens of Buffalo and I hope to do so for many years to come.