Billy J. Charles Jr.
Chief of Police
Billy J. Charles Jr. began serving the City of Galena in February of 2016 as Police Chief. Chief Charles leads a department of 15 sworn officers and 3 civilian support personnel. Chief Charles retired from the military after serving 11 years in the Army then another 12 years in the Missouri National Guard. Chief Charles has held positions as an Inventory Controller for Lozier Corporation, Platoon Sergeant with Labette Woman’s Correctional Camp and a Jail Administrator of the Cherokee County Jail.
Having grown up in Galena, Chief Charles’ strong connections within the community have aided him in building and maintaining relationships throughout the city. He has re-engineered the department to better align operations with his commitment to community policing and improving the quality of life for all in Galena. Chief Charles believes in actively engaging the community to set priorities, sustain open lines of communication, and maintain transparency.
Chief Charles graduated from Galena High School in 1982, has an Associate in Applied Science for Criminal Justice and is a 2007 graduate of the 191st Basic Training Class, held at the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center in Hutchinson Ks. Chief Charles has served as a Self Defense Instructor in C.L.A.M.P. and Controlled Force, has received training in Emergency Management, Sexual Assault Investigations, Domestic Abuse, Interview & Integrations, Supervisor Leadership Institute for Law Enforcement Executives and attended the Basic Swat School in Oklahoma City with the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office. He is a member of the International Chiefs of Police Association, the National Chiefs of Police Association, Kansas Association of Chiefs of Police and the Kansas Peace Officer Association.
Write to Police Chief Billy J. Charles Jr.