City officials reflect on Blair leaving police department; Glueck to take over responsibilities in interim period

City manager Ken Haskin and Mayor Stacy Kinder along with Ward 5 Councilman Rhett Pierce weighed in Tuesday, June 25, on police chief Wes Blair leaving the Cape Girardeau Police Department to take a position at Memphis International Airport in Tennessee to lead the airport’s internal law enforcement organization in August.

Haskin stated the City is excited for Blair on “his next venture in life” but also “confident” in the department’s assistant chief Adam Glueck’s abilities as he steps up during this interim period.

“Wes has served the city admirably over the past 11 years. We knew his retirement was imminent and that he would pursue other opportunities thereafter,” Haskin stated in an email to the Southeast Missourian. “(Glueck) has been well-trained and will do an excellent job managing the department.”

Police Chief Wes Blair gives a speech about mental health for police officers at the Respect for Law event May 16, at the VFW Banquet Hall in Cape Girardeau.

Nathan Gladden ~ngladden@semissourian.com, file

Haskin stated officials have “several good options” to consider “in the coming weeks and months.”

Kinder said she greatly appreciated Blair’s work in the department and wishes nothing but the best for him in his new role.

“In recent years the overall public safety here has greatly benefitted from the technology, innovations and forward thinking programs Chief Blair has helped develop,” Kinder stated in an email to the Southeast Missourian.

Pierce also thanked Blair for his service to the community and the police department

“I think we had a great guy in chief Wes Blair,” Pierce said.

He said he knew Blair was well respected by his police department.

Blair stated he’s grateful for the support he’s received from his department and community.

“I will always look back on my time in Cape Girardeau with pride for what the department accomplished and fondness for the citizens I have been honored to serve for the past decade. This great community has a premiere police department that the citizens can be very proud of,” Blair stated in an email to the Southeast Missourian.

The Missourian also reached out to council members Dan Presson, Tameka Randle, Nate Thomas, David Cantrell and Mark Bliss for a comment. Randle referred back to Haskin’s statement.