Douglas W. Ruess is the Criminal Justice Program Coordinator for the Mineral Area College Department of Public Safety.  Doug was formally the Chief of Police for Crystal City Police Department in Jefferson County, MO.  He became the chief in 2000 after working his way through the ranks as a Patrol Officer, Field Training Officer, Sergeant, and Captain. Doug is responsible for the planning, organizing, staffing, directing, coordinating, and budgeting of the department.  Doug is a graduate of the 206th Session on the F.B.I. National Academy in Quantico, VA. and a graduate of the 14th Session of the Arkansas Leader at the University of Arkansas Criminal Justice Institute.

Doug Ruess is a member of the Missouri Police Chief's Association, FBI National Academy Association, Mineral Area College Law Enforcement Academy Advisory Board, Jefferson College Law Enforcement Advisory Committee, Twin City Rotary and Twin City Chamber of Commerce member. 

Doug's educational background includes a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice Administration from University of Central Missouri (formerly CMSU) and a Master's degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Lindenwood University.  Doug is also a Law Enforcement Academy Instructor for Mineral Area College Law Enforcement Academy.  His teaching and research interest include Police Leardership, Field Training programs, Ethics in Law Enforcement, Community Policing Strategies, Law Enforcement Legal Issues and Criminal Court Issues.

Doug is married and has two children.