After Hillsboro Police Chief Steve Meinberg announced that he would be retiring on July 16, city officials immediately turned to his second-in-command, Capt. Darrick Curtis, to succeed him and lead the department.
The Board of Alderpersons voted 7-0 during a June 3 executive session to promote Curtis, currently assistant police chief, to the position. Ward 4 Alderperson Ron Belcher was absent from the meeting.
The city announced the promotion in a July 2 written statement.
Meinberg said Curtis, 33, was the only person considered to take over the job.
“We went in-house,” Meinberg said. “There were no applications.
“I have full confidence in Darrick. I’ve worked with him for several years now and mentored him. I have full confidence he’ll do a great job.”
Hillsboro Ward 2 Alderperson Chris DeGeare said board members did not hesitate to promote Curtis.
“I made the motion,” DeGeare said. “As an alderperson, I’ve seen Darrick Curtis grow through the years at Hillsboro. He’s done an excellent job.
“Chief Meinberg has mentored him the last few years and developed him into an excellent leader.”
When Curtis takes over as chief on July 17, his annual salary will increase from $68,800 to $78,000. Meinberg is paid $88,750 a year as police chief.
According to the written statement, Curtis grew up in Hillsboro and graduated from Hillsboro High School in 2009. He received a bachelor’s degree in criminology and criminal justice with a minor in public administration in 2013 from the University of Missouri-St. Louis.
He worked for UMSL as coordinator of freshman recruitment prior to joining the Hillsboro Police Department. He was a part-time officer for the department before becoming a full-time officer in 2019.
“He’s a fantastic guy,” Hillsboro Mayor Buddy Russell said. “He’s well-known in Hillsboro. He’s worked under Steve and has been (prepared) for the job. It’s awesome we can promote from within.”
Hillsboro’s new city administrator, Jason Daniel, said he also is pleased that Curtis was promoted to the job.
“Darrick knows the community; he knows the officers, the policies and so on,” Daniel said. “That institutional knowledge is invaluable and is key to stability going forward.”
Meinberg said the Hillsboro Police Department consists of 12 officers and will soon hire a new officer.
“(Curtis) will be taking over a stable and professional department,” Meinberg said.
Curtis and his wife, Kristen, live in Crystal City.
He said he is grateful for the promotion to chief.
“I’m excited for the opportunity,” Curtis said. “I’ve been a part of Hillsboro for all of my life. It’s exciting to have a hand in its future.”
He said his goal is to keep the city’s police force going in the right direction.
“I think we have a great framework and are really in a position to grow into the future,” he said.
In addition to his job with the Police Department, Curtis is the 2024-2025 president of the Hillsboro Rotary Club and is a member of the Joachim Masonic Lodge in Hillsboro. He also is a board member for the Emerald Society of Missouri (an organization that promotes Irish culture, including the contributions of Irish-Americans in law enforcement and other public safety organizations).