The Cape Girardeau Department announced Thursday the promotion of a longtime member of the force to the rank of Captain.

With his wife and the Chief of Police pinning on his captain's bars, Randy Roddy of the Cape Girardeau Police Department was officially promoted to the rank of captain.

Roddy, a St. Louis native, has been a police officer in Cape Girardeau for 20 years. He joined the force after attending Southeast Missouri State University.

"It is my first opportunity to promote someone since assuming command," Chief Rick Hetzel told a room of police officers. "Randy is certainly worthy of the promotion."

"I have every confidence in the world in Cpt. Randy Roddy," Hetzel said.

Roddy becomes the second captain in the department. He will assume the duties of commander of the department's Bureau of Support Services, which has oversight of the jail, administration, communication, records and other services which support the department's field operations.

Roddy thanked his wife Janice and his two children for their support.

"Police work has never been an issue in our home," Roddy said after thanking his wife Janice and their two children. "They've supported me in the tough times and the not-so-tough times."

Chief Hetzel also announced that two other officers on the force have switched duties as a part of what the chief called "the department's efforts to broaden the experience base of the senior officers."