In honor of National Police Week - City of Lake Ozark

City Receives Blue Shield Designation: The City of Lake Ozark and Lake Ozark Police Department are honored to have been named a Missouri Blue Shield City by Missouri Department of Public Safety.Of this designation for our agency and community, Police Chief James Boren says "I'm honored to accept this Blue Shield City designation, which reflects the outstanding work of our Board of Aldermen, city staff, and police department working in partnership. This recognition from Governor Kehoe and the Missouri Department of Public Safety validates what I've observed throughout my 20-year career here—our community's growing commitment to public safety. During my tenure as chief, I've seen firsthand how the dedication of our officers, combined with incredible community support, creates the foundation for this kind of recognition. This achievement belongs to everyone who has contributed to making our city safer."The Missouri Blue Shield Program, created by Governor Kehoe in January 2025 through Executive Order 25-03, recognizes local governments that make significant efforts to reduce crime, foster law enforcement collaboration, and build strong community partnerships for public safety. “Public safety is the foundation of a thriving community and state. It affects everything from families feeling secure to businesses having the confidence to invest and grow,” said Governor Kehoe. “We designed the Missouri Blue Shield Program to recognize communities that go above and beyond in creating a place where people want to live, work, and build their futures. A Missouri Blue Shield designation is a testament to the hard work and dedication of local governments across Missouri who are leading the way in making public safety a priority.”“The Department of Public Safety is proud to work alongside communities like Lake Ozark, that have shown exceptional dedication to enhancing public safety,” said Mark James, Director of the Missouri Department of Public Safety (DPS). “This program is about fostering collaboration between local law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve. Our goal is to support these efforts, providing resources and guidance to help communities build sustainable, long-term solutions for crime reduction and public safety.”Communities are eligible for a Missouri Blue Shield designation based on their dedication to reducing crime, making substantial investments in public safety, and developing strong collaboration with law enforcement agencies and community stakeholders. Each participating community’s commitment will be reviewed annually to ensure continued alignment with the program’s goals. Communities that earn a Missouri Blue Shield designation will receive grant funding for law enforcement training and equipment as part of Governor Kehoe’s Recommended Budget for the State Fiscal Year 2026. Communities will also be featured on Governor Kehoe’s social media pages as well as the DPS website to highlight their participation in the program. The City of Lake Ozark earned a Missouri Blue Shield designation due to its exceptional commitment to public safety. Through officer recruitment and retention efforts, introduction of our K9 program, increased funding to public safety, and an enhanced approach to community policing, we have demonstrated a strong and ongoing commitment to protecting our residents and visitors.

Posted on May 9, 2021 by dan

In honor of National Police Week

National Police Week is May 9-15.

At a time when law enforcement is under the microscope – especially on the national level – we find it so important to appreciate and support not only the Lake Ozark Police Department but also all lake-area law enforcement. National Police Week is a time set aside to honor and remember men and women in blue who keep us safe and protect our communities.

“Our police department has a day-in, day-out commitment to keep our community safe,” Lake Ozark Mayor Dennis Newberry said in a special salute to the LOPD. “While many communities have their own policing issues to face, Lake Ozark is unique in that there is a significant part of the year where the burden on our officers is greatly increased.”

Police Chief Gary Launderville notes that the LOPD is now at full force, while other lake-area departments struggle to attract and retain officers. He attributes that, in part, to the support of the board of aldermen, the administration and the Lake Ozark community at large.

“This year alone so far, we have lost nearly one officer per day in our country, and that is truly sad,” Launderville commented. “National Police Week means so much more every year to our officers. In our area, especially in Lake Ozark, we have great support from our community and that means a lot to each and every one of the officers from our department. We very much appreciate the relationship we have with our community.”

In a show of solidarity, Mayor Newberry has chosen to actively “back the blue” by donating his first quarter salary to the Lake Ozark Police Benevolent Association.

“The Benevolent Association helps out our guys when they are in need of new equipment or when facing bigger issues. To our officers, their families, and the community that supports them — thank you,” he said.

In 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which May 15 falls as National Police Week. Established by a joint resolution of Congress in 1962, National Police Week pays special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others.