STAFF/OFFICERS

OUR STAFF AND OFFICERS

Patrol Officers are responsible for handling the day-to-day response to calls for service, traffic enforcement, DWI enforcement, Traffic Crash Investigations, and response to special events. In addition to regular patrol duty.


Line officers currently work twelve-hour shifts. Modern policing requires officers to be more than a police officer. They are expected at many times to be attorneys, counselors, medical assistants, teachers, and sometimes even parents.



In the course of patrol, officers drive a fully marked patrol car. Officers are encouraged to interact with the public often. With this interaction, officers can better serve their communities by building trust with the citizens and getting to know the people they protect. This leads to a reduction in crime and helps clean up problem areas. When the citizenry knows the officers they are more likely to get involved and help the officer solve crime.


CHIEF OF POLICE

Chief Baker started his law enforcement career in Canton, MO in 1991. In 1993 he began working with the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office where he was involved with marijuana eradication and was a member of various organizations. In 1996 he went to work for the LaGrange Police Department and became Chief of Police in 1997. Baker held that position until 2001 when he left Law Enforcement to explore another career path. He joined the Palmyra Police Department in January of 2018 and was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in November of 2018. Chief Baker enjoys riding his motorcycle, hunting, fishing, and anything to do with sports.

POLICE PERSONNEL


Sergeant
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Sergeant Carey was hired by the Palmyra Police Department in August of 2020. Prior to being hired, Carey attended Quincy University, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice. Carey graduated from the Law Enforcement Training Institute in Columbia, Missouri in December of 2020.

MICHAEL BAKER



Patrolman
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Officer Crane graduated from Palmyra High School in 2020 and has lived in Palmyra her whole life. She previously worked in customer service and after turning 21, she chose to attend and graduated from the Law Enforcement Training Institution in September of 2023.


Patrolman
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Officer Rathbone is a 2015 graduate of Palmyra High School. She joined the Army reserves at the age of 17 and attended Basic Training in Fort Jackson Carolina. She later went on to Fort Leonard Wood Missouri where she attended advanced individual training as a Motor Transport Operator. Hired by the department in January of 2019 and then attended the Law Enforcement Training Institute Police Academy. She joined our agency in April 2019.


Officer Rathbone is also the School Resource Officer (SRO) for the Palmyra R-I School District. The SRO program was started in 2013 and is jointly funded by the School District and the City. The SRO is responsible for the following duties:

  • Provide general patrol and first-line response for incidents at all three schools in the district.
  • Present information about good life choices and the dangers of substance abuse, unsafe vehicle operations, violence, etc.
  • Act as a liaison between students, law enforcement, and others in the community.



Patrolman
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Officer Ferrara graduated from Highland High School in 2016 and later graduated from the Law Enforcement Training Institute in Columbia, Missouri in May of 2023. He began his career with the Canton Police Department in Canton, Missouri serving as a patrolman. He later transitioned and served in the same capacity with the Kirksville Police Department in Kirksville, Missouri before settling with the Palmyra Police Department. He enjoys outdoor activities and spending time with family.


Police Clerk/Records



Police clerk, Rebecca Jones began working in customer service over 30 years ago and has held that position in many different business settings. She also has a background working in information technologies and recently earned her associate in accounting in December 2023.


Reserve Patrolman




Officer Lanford started his career in law enforcement in 2010 for the state of Arizona working as a Corrections Officer. In 2012 he began working for the Maricopa County Sheriffs Office as a Detention Officer. In 2014 Lanford attended the Southern Arizona Law Enforcement Training Center (SALETC) in Tucson, Arizona working for the Arizona Department of Transportation as a Police Officer. In 2017 he became a Detective working criminal investigations for the ADOT Office of Inspector General. While working at the Inspector Generals Office he was assigned to the A.C.E. Taskforce working fraud investigations. Officer Lanford moved to Missouri in 2021 and joined the Palmyra Police Department.


Reserve Patrolman




Officer Martin started his career in law enforcement in 2014 for the state of Arizona. Officer Martin’s assignments in Arizona included Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Officer, K9 Handler, and Detective. Officer Martin moved to Missouri in 2021 and joined the Palmyra Police Department.


Reserve Patrolman




Corporal Anderson graduated from Hannibal High School in 2007 and later graduated from MACC Law Enforcement Training Center in 2010. He began his career with the Macon Police Department in Macon, MO. Anderson spent two and a half years with Macon before joining the Palmyra Police Department in May 2013.


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