Police Department

The Woodson Terrace Police Department is located at the corner of Woodson Rd. and Guthrie Ave. The department has 17 full-time police officers and five reserve officers.

The city contracts with the Overland Police Dept. for dispatching services.

The city has an active Neighborhood Watch program.

News from the Department

Police Chief Tom McKay recently retired after serving in the city for the past 29 years. Capt. Bob Dowling, a member of the force for 21 years, was appointed Police Chief by Mayor William Ratchford and the Board of Aldermen.

Chief Dowling, 43, was born and raised in Woodson Terrace. He currently resides in the city with his wife of 22 years, Niesha, and their three children, Brian, 18, Emily, 14 and Becky, 12.

He began his career with the city as a Park Guard in 1977. He also worked in the Public Works department before joining the police force in 1979. Chief Dowling was promoted to Lieutenant in 1987 and to Captain in 2000.

Woodson Terrace has been a great little city and it has been an honor to serve as your Police Chief for the past 29 years. I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for all the support you have given me and the Police Department through the years. Capt. Bob Dowling will be taking command of the department when I leave. He is well qualified and I am confident I am leaving the city in good hands. Police work is not easy and is often dangerous, even in a small town like Woodson Terrace. I would ask that you remember our officers in your prayers. If my efforts have made Woodson Terrace a little bit better place to live, work and raise children, I would consider my career a success. Thanks for everything and may God bless you. Tom McKay Retired Chief of Police

Over the past 29 years as Chief of Police, Chief McKay has taken this department and built it into a professional organization that strives to make this a safe community to live, work and raise our children. Through his efforts, I will take command of an organization that is staffed by caring and concerned officers who take pride in you and your community. Since I have worked for Chief McKay for 22 of those 29 years, I assure you this tradition will continue. My office is always open; feel free to call me anytime. Chief Bob Dowling