Breaking News: Wentzville Hires Police Chief

The has hired a new chief of police. Lisa Harrison, a Missouri native who currently serves in the Boynton Beach, FL police department, will join the department on Jan. 3.

Chief Robert Noonan after leading the department for years.

More than 70 law enforcement officers from the , the state and nation  submitted resumes over the course of the search for Noonan’s replacement.

According to Mayor Paul Lambi, the competition was tough, especially when the field was narrowed down to the final 10 contenders.

"Everyone who made it to the final 10 is to be commended for their accomplishments in law enforcement," said Lambi. "We had some very strong contenders and I want to thank the board of aldermen for all their hard work and collective input into the selection. With many minds there is much wisdom, and I feel confident we’ve chosen well for this crucial city position."

Harrison was born and raised in Missouri, and received an Associate of Arts degree from the Mineral Area College in Park Hills, MO in 1991.

Harrison served as a military police officer from 1991-93 in the U.S. Marine Corps, from which she received an honorable discharge. She later received a bachelor of Public Administration degree from Barry University, a Master of Science degree from Palm Beach Atlantic University, as well as successfully completing Palm Beach Community College’s Florida Leadership Academy and The Southern Police Institute’s Command Officers Development Course.   

Harrison has been with the Boynton Beach police department since 1999, starting as a police recruit and moving up to her current position as Executive Officer and direct assistant to the chief of police.

Her current position with the Boynton police department covers a wide assortment of responsibilities, including scheduling for the department’s 70 patrol officers, 16 sergeants, 3 lieutenants; fleet management and administration of approximately 170 police vehicles; planning, organizing and implementation of emergency management procedures; and extensive written and verbal communication on behalf of the police department with the city’s department heads, city manager and city staff.

In addition to her service on the Boynton Beach police department, Harrison is an adjunct instructor for the law enforcement and corrections academies at Palm Beach State College’s Criminal Justice Institute in Lake Worth, Florida.

Harrison holds a Florida Department of Law Enforcement instructor certification in areas like Defensive Tactics, Vehicle Operations, Firearms, First Aid, and General Topics, which includes ethics, legal communications, patrol, and all other topics taught at the basic academy level.