Cape Girardeau’s new police chief is looking forward to getting started.

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KFVS) – City of Cape Girardeau leaders announce a familiar face will be the new police chief.

Since August, Adam Gluck has served as interim chief of police for the Cape Girardeau Police Department. The position is now permanent and he is the new leader in charge.

Chief Gluck said he did not expect the announcement today, but he is ready to get started in his new role.

“I am ready to play this role. I understand that this is a huge responsibility,” said Chief Adam Gluck.

Gluck hopes to pick up where former police chief Wes Blair left off.

“He had a lot of relationships with different community members and different organizations,” Gluck said. “So I’m trying to continue those relationships and develop them.”

City Manager Dr. Kenny Haskin said Gluck’s 25 years of experience with the department speaks to his readiness for the position.

“When you think of Adam, you think of a blue-collar guy, someone who has worked his way up through the ranks,” Dr. Haskin said.

Haskin said the new chief’s understanding of community-oriented policing will also help the city.

“This concept is based on what I see, and what Adam brings to the table is a way of thinking that really understands it,” Haskin said. “He understands how important and valuable this connection to our community is.”

Chief Gluck said placing resources in so-called “hot spots” is high on his list of priorities.

“I think Cape Girardeau has been a relatively safe city, but we have some areas where some areas are more prone to problems than others, and those are the areas I want to focus our resources on,” Gluck said.

Gluck’s goal is to make the community safer for everyone who lives in Cape Girardeau.

“We’re going to do everything we can to make people feel safer and more welcome in our community,” Gluck said.

Gluck’s role is effective immediately, and he said there are already plans to make changes to better suit the department.

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