June 25, 2022

The City of Pleasant Hill has approved the appointment of Thomas Wright, Sr. as Pleasant Hill’s next Police Chief.

Wright, who has more than 28 years of law enforcement experience, comes to Pleasant Hill from the Greenwood, Missouri Police Department.

“The City of Pleasant Hill is fortunate to have both committed department personnel and a community that respects law enforcement. Collectively, we are able to keep this community safe,” Mayor John King said. “Chief Wright will build upon everything good about this community and the Pleasant Hill Police Department.”

When Wright assumes the Police Chief role, his focus will be on assessing the functions of the department, getting to know personnel, city colleagues, and the community.

“Chief Wright’s previous experience, both in a larger department and in smaller communities provides us with a blend of specialized knowledge and proven leadership roles coupled with an understanding of how best to integrate and participate in our community. Chief Wright comes with high praise from other metropolitan police chiefs for his commitment to standards, his professionalism, and his involvement on the regional level. Chief Wright will be professional, consistent, and respectful,” said Pleasant Hill’s City Administrator Shelby Teufel.

Wright spent 19 years rising through the ranks of the Jefferson County (MO) Sheriff’s Office, leaving as a Lieutenant of the Professional Standards/Internal Affairs Division Chief/Commander. His specialized assignments included undercover detective, DARE officer, neighborhood patrol, a multi-jurisdictional Drug Task Force, Tactical Teams, professional standards, and internal investigations. Wright has over 8 years experience as a police chief, serving the Missouri cities of Trenton and Greenwood. Wright has initiated and/or received the standards based CALEA accreditation in two of the three agencies he has worked in.

Chief Wright has both a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Missouri Baptist University. Wright has also served as an adjunct criminal justice instructor at North Central Missouri College and served as an adjunct academy instructor at the Missouri Sheriff’s Association. Wright is a member of a number of professional organizations including the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Missouri Police Chiefs Association, ASIS-KC, Jackson County Drug Task Force Board, Metro Emergency Planners Committee, Metro Chiefs and Sheriffs Association, and serves on the Law Enforcement Advisory Board for the Cass County Career Center.

Chief Wright will be sworn in on July 5, 2022, in advance of the retirement of Chief Robert Driscoll on July 8, 2022.