Peckman elected to MPOA executive committee

Missouri Peace Officers Association Chaplain, the Rev. Ed Golden (left) administers the oath of office to MPOA executive committee members. Committee members from left to right: Vonn Abbott, Jim Huff, Kent Oberkrom, Ron Peckman, Bob Ronkoski, Gary McMullin and Chris Turnbow.

By Rusty Murry

Nevada Daily Mail

Vernon County Sheriff Ron Peckman was sworn in as the newest member of the Missouri Peace Officer's Association executive committee on Monday, June 25, during the Missouri Law Enforcement Conference held at Osage Beach, Mo., near the Lake of the Ozarks.

Jim Huff, MPOA executive director, said Peckman was chosen as a candidate by the nominating committee. Huff also said that Peckman came "highly recommended" by Kent J. Oberkrom, Henry County sheriff and past president of MPOA. Peckman will serve a one year term.

Oberkrom, who also is the incoming president of the Missouri Sheriff's Association, said the committee asked him to recommend someone to fill the empty seat on the board, and he thought of Peckman because "he has been in law enforcement a long time" and he thought his experience with the new jail and his committment to officer training would be valuable assets to the MPOA.

The 10-member executive committee, along with the three officers, meets quarterly to make recommendations to the association, which advocates on behalf of law enforcement at the state capitol in Jefferson City.

The MPOA is based in Lee's Summit, Mo. and according to its Web site, it is "one of the oldest and largest associations of law enforcement personnel in the state of Missouri." The MPOA board is composed of law enforcement professionals from across the state.

Its mission, Huff said, is "to advance the science and art of criminal justice." Peckman said "it was very nice" to be elected to the position. "They approached me about it," he said " I hadn't asked for it." He noted that one of the reasons he feels it's a good organization is because any "individual in law enforcement can be a part of it."

Peckman is looking forward to being part of the group, and believes it's especially important to work with the board "to provide training for everybody, so they can be the best law enforcement officer they can be" in their chosen position.

Peckman said there are "a lot of well educated members" on the board with "a lot of experience. I hope I can provide some benefit with my knowledge and experience. I hope we can put it to good use."