Troy Names Acting Police Chief as Questions Remain on Staffing and Department Conditions
- John Eads
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
TROY, MO — UPDATE (May 1, 2026 — 2:51 PM):
The City of Troy has provided additional details regarding staffing levels and operations within the Troy Police Department.
According to City Administrator James Knowles III, the department is authorized for 29 full-time officers and is currently staffed with 21. Patrol is down five officers, the detective bureau is down two, and the department is currently without an assistant chief due to recent promotions.
Knowles said recent turnover since October 2025 includes two retirements, one departure for a career change, and five officers leaving for other departments offering higher compensation and incentives.
The City says it is actively recruiting but will not lower hiring standards to fill positions, stating leadership would rather operate short-staffed than hire unqualified candidates.
Knowles also addressed the decision to bring in Acting Chief Robert T. Ronkoski, stating the move is intended to support current leadership and avoid overloading recently promoted supervisors during a period of reduced staffing.
While acknowledging the strain caused by staffing shortages, the City said department morale remains intact and emphasized continued investment in equipment, training, and resources in recent years.
The City of Troy has named an acting police chief as the current chief prepares for military deployment, a move that comes as questions continue to surface about staffing levels and overall conditions within the department.
Robert T. Ronkoski will serve as Acting Chief of Police beginning May 16, 2026, while Chief Dustyn Tienter fulfills active-duty military service obligations. City officials say Chief Tienter is expected to return to his role upon completion of his service.
City Administrator James Knowles III said the appointment will allow the department to continue operating without disruption.
“The choice to have Chief Ronkoski fill in as acting Chief of the Troy Police Department will allow the department to continue moving forward with the strategic initiatives laid out by Chief Tienter without sacrificing service levels to the community or progress on our modernization efforts,” Knowles said.
Ronkoski brings more than 35 years of law enforcement and public safety experience, including leadership roles in municipal policing, higher education, and public service.
At the same time, concerns about the department have been raised publicly and within the community, particularly around staffing, retention, and morale.
Former Troy Alderman Rachel Dunard recently spoke out, pointing to both structural and cultural challenges within the department based on her time in office.
“The biggest challenges we faced with the department were both structural and cultural,” Dunard said.
She described officers working with outdated equipment and compensation that struggled to keep pace with surrounding agencies, leading to ongoing recruitment and retention issues.
“We struggled to attract experienced officers because there was no real lateral entry incentive, and once people were here, there were limited opportunities for growth,” she said.
Dunard also pointed to morale as a concern.
“Many officers did not feel valued, and the overall environment within the department reflected that,” she said. “When you combine low morale with better opportunities elsewhere, it becomes very difficult to build and maintain a strong, stable team.”
Additional information provided to Lincoln CountyWatch indicates the department has experienced turnover in recent months, with staffing shortages affecting multiple areas.
Sources familiar with the department indicate that full staffing is typically around 29 officers. Alderman Preston Gebhart stated the department is currently down seven positions, contributing to the strain on existing personnel.
Gebhart also addressed the decision to appoint an outside acting chief, stating the plan was brought forward by Chief Tienter himself prior to deployment.
According to Gebhart, the department’s command staff was already carrying a heavy workload, and adding interim chief responsibilities internally could have further strained leadership.
He also stated that two command staff members were not interested in taking on the role, while a third expressed concern about balancing both positions effectively.
Gebhart said the decision to bring in Ronkoski was made in coordination with Chief Tienter, command staff, the city administrator, and the mayor, with the goal of maintaining stability within the department.
He added that the part-time position is expected to have minimal, if any, impact on the city’s budget, noting that Chief Tienter’s salary and benefits will be paused during his deployment.
Lincoln CountyWatch reached out to city leadership and the Troy Police Department for clarification on staffing levels, turnover, and recruitment efforts. The City provided information regarding the appointment of the acting chief and indicated additional responses to those questions are expected.
The Troy Police Department remains operational, and officials say services to the community will continue during the leadership transition.
This is a developing story and will be updated as additional information becomes available.
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If you have any corrections, additional information, or tips regarding this story, contact Lincoln CountyWatch by calling or texting 636-377-0201 or emailing tips@LincolnCountyWatch.com.
We are not law enforcement, but we work to keep the community informed as accurately and responsibly as possible.
This story was written by John Eads.
Sources: City of Troy press release, statements from city officials, Alderman Gebhart statement on Facebook, interview with former Alderman Rachel Dunard, and additional sources familiar with the department.
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