Latest news with #Dustman
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Independence police chief on leave, fires back at ‘baseless rumors' in FOX4 interview
INDEPENDENCE, Mo. — Independence Police Chief Adam Dustman is speaking out Thursday, June 5, to give his side of the story amid swirling rumors about his recent leave from the department. In a revealing interview with FOX4, Dustman categorically denied allegations tied to an incident during National Police Week and emphasized his commitment to the job he loves. Bomb Squad removes grenade from Independence cemetery Since May 23, Chief Dustman has been off the job, stepping away to address 'personal issues.' 'I have personal issues going on. I've decided to take time. I've gone through a rough couple of years with the department and the loss we've had,' he said when asked about the reasons for his leave. 'With the addition of personal issues, now is the time to take some time away to focus on being the best me I can be and the best dad I can be for my boys.' FOX4 confirmed through public records and the chief himself that his wife, Sarah Dustman, filed for divorce at the end of March. However, personal challenges aren't the heart of the controversy. The controversy centers on an event during National Police Week in Washington, D.C., which began on Sunday, May 11. Chief Dustman represented the Independence Police Department as the name of fallen officer Cody Allen was added to the National Fallen Officer Memorial. It was following that solemn event that rumors began to circulate. Some claim the chief went out with colleagues, got so intoxicated he had to be carried to his hotel, and was even kicked out of a bar or involved in a fight. Dustman, however, vehemently denies these claims. Woman arrested & charged with murdering pregnant woman, unborn child on Christmas Eve 2023 The only truth he says is that he went out after hours with fellow officers. Despite his denials, a high-level source confirmed to FOX4 that the incident has prompted, or will prompt, an internal affairs investigation. Chief Dustman says he welcomes the probe and insists his leave of absence has nothing to do with it. In the meantime, Deputy Chief Jason Petersen is leading the department. Dustman says he has full confidence in Petersen and the team to keep things running smoothly. 'I am 100% up for the job. I love this job, it's literally, outside of my kiddos, the single greatest accomplishment of my life,' Dustman responded when asked if he's still up for the job. 'I'm proud to serve this city and the men and women of this police department each and every day. That will never change.' He also expressed concern about someone leaking highly personal information within the department, but said he does not know who is responsible. Person waiting for bus in critical condition after being hit by car Chief Dustman says he is focusing on his sons during this time away and expects to return to headquarters in early July. FOX4 has reached out to the city and the department for comment and is awaiting their response. Stay tuned to FOX4 for the latest updates and developments. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Independence police chief critical of current facility after failed vote
INDEPENDENCE, Mo. — Voters said yes to one General Obligation (G.O.) Bond on Tuesday night, but no to two others. Voters approved $55 million for roads, bridges, and sidewalks. They rejected millions of dollars for other projects, including a new police headquarters. Police Chief Adam Dustman told FOX4 he's disappointed Tuesday night's vote failed, saying he's asking more from his police officers every single day. The department's current headquarters is just east of Independence Square, known as the Central Police Building. Revoked student visas worrying international students in Kansas City 'But yet we're placing them in a work environment that is, on the best of circumstances less than desirable and on the worst of circumstances is down right unacceptable and atrocious,' he said Wednesday afternoon. Chief Dustman says it's his job to try to change the conditions that his officers work in. Before the vote, he showed residents the conditions of the Central Police Building. There's sewage from the pipes there, along with water damage in the main men's locker room. Tuesday's public safety bond failed by 10% because elections for bonds need to pass with 4/7ths of voters, or just more than 57%. 53% of the residents said no, and 47% of them said yes. 'While it is a risk from the recruitment side, I'm much more concerned about the today, which is the staff that we have here, the incredible men and women that are dedicated, and go out and do their job, and they're going to continue to do their jobs regardless of any sort of vote or you know, lack thereof,' he said. Chief Dustman added that he's concerned that other Jackson County, Mo. police departments will have better facilities than his with Tuesday's public safety bond failing. 'And you come here and you see the water infiltration and the health and safety issues that are here, there's a toll there and risk for sure,' he said. Two hours before Chief Dustman spoke, FOX4 talked to City Manager Zach Walker. 'I would say more disappointed,' Walker said when asked if he was surprised that the G.O. Bond for the new police facility failed. Even though that happened, some Independence Police Department workers will be moving to the city's Utilities Center at 291 Highway and 23rd Street. The new justice center or police department headquarters was supposed to go there, too. 'What we're not able to move, what we don't have space allocated for is the patrol units,' Walker said. 'So, people come in, go to their locker room, get dressed, go out on patrol, the firing range, and then the special operations unit, like the SWAT Team, the K9 Unit, things like that.' Two-year-old girl overdoses after ingesting methamphetamine, police say After question 1 failed, FOX4 asked how the city will ask the voters for a new justice center in the future. 'Yes, I do think we will be back. That need is not going away,' Walker said, talking about a new police building. 'We've outgrown the facility that we're in, and we're spread out over several different properties that, like I mentioned before, created a lot of operating inefficiencies.' The third G.O. bond question Tuesday asked voters to consider $12 million in bonds to upgrade the existing Independence Athletic Complex and improve historic buildings, including the Bingham-Waggoner Estate. That failed with 55.42% of the vote due to that 57% threshold mentioned above. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
