Columbia city leaders say they support police amid street violence, union criticism

EDITOR'S NOTE: The date of the next city council meeting has been corrected.

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Columbia's city manager didn't directly address criticisms of city leadership made this week by the police officers' union during Wednesday's State of the City address.

But afterward, he said in response to reporters' questions that the city strives to give its police officers all the support it can.

"In our current climate, there are a lot of outside voices that distrust law enforcement and that doesn't mean that the city takes that same stance," City Manager De'Carlon Seewood said after his speech.

The city manager gives a State of the City address each year to kick off the budget process. The next fiscal year begins Oct. 1.

A string of high-profile crimes and a use of excessive force investigation have brought scrutiny to the Columbia Police Department this spring, making it a topic of interest during Wednesday's address.

The Columbia Police Officers Association -- a union that represents rank-and-file officers -- distributed a statement to the media Tuesday asking people to lobby the city council on their behalf. The statement expresses frustration from the union saying officers don't feel supported by city officials.

CPOA wants residents to show up in numbers at Monday's Columbia City Council meeting.

Seewood said after the speech that he isn't sure what the union wants from city leaders but listed several resources the city can make available, including equipment and mental health help.

Columbia Police Chief Geoff Jones said he would not comment on the union's statement until he's had time to think it over.

"I do support police officers, I also support not having police officers that don't do the work that they're supposed to and no good police officer wants to work with a bad police officer," Jones said.

The police department has 22 open positions right now, but Jones said he's hired several people in the last few weeks. Columbia police officers have a starting salary just over $51,000 per year.

Jones said he thinks wages are improving, but could be more competitive with surrounding law enforcement agencies. He also said he thinks the city is working on making those wages more competitive.

"There are a lot of reasons people don't do this job," Jones said. "Money is one of them. Being supported generally in our society is another issue. Whether or not people are supported internally is important also."