As chief of the Belton, Mo., police department, James Person ’79 deals with something new every day. “Every day there are different issues, challenges and people to deal with,” he explains. “There are times that demand quick tactical thinking, training and abilities, which can also include some degree of danger.” But he says the education he received from Culver-Stockton College helped to prepare him for many of those challenges and issues. In fact, James frequently shares with others the benefits of a Culver-Stockton education. “I promote small liberal arts education, especially C-SC. The student/instructor ratio is excellent, where students are not just numbers. I tell them it is a place where students can walk across campus, and the president will call them by name. I tell potential students they can participate in a variety of activities from sports, to performing arts, to student government; that might not be available to them at a large university.”
Following his graduation from Culver-Stockton, James went on to earn a master’s degree in public affairs government management from Park University. He is also active in a number of professional associations, including the Missouri Police Chief’s Association, the KC Metro Chief’s and Sheriff’s Association, the Missouri 911 Oversight Committee, the Missouri Integration of Justice Information Systems Committee, and the MO Data Exchange Board. He was the recipient of a Missouri Police Chief’s Distinguished Service Award, MO Police Chief’s Leadership Award, and was inducted into the Belton High School Hall of Fame.
James and his wife, Debbie, have been married for 28 years. They have three children, Katie, a senior at UMKC; Maddie, a senior at Culver-Stockton College; and Aaron, a junior at Belton High School. In his free time, James enjoys being an active member of his church, volunteering for several community foundations and the Salvation Army. He also enjoys outdoor activities, including hunting, camping and fishing.
