Columbia police say community policing helps reduce violent crime

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Columbia Police Department says its current system of community policing has helped solve crime and improve community relations.

Several officers with the Columbia Police Department spoke to the City Council Monday night to provide an update on community policing.

Lieutenant Mike Hestir, who oversees training within the police department, said communication between officers and community members is key to success.

He said officers should serve as guardians of the community.

"To be a good guardian might mean to do as little as is necessary. That would be not overreacting," Hestir said. "To be a good guardian might mean to take aggressive action to stop something from threatening that which is valuable, which is community peace."

He discussed the importance of being present in communities, but not over-policing, or making community members feel like there are officers around every corner.

The homicide clearance rate in Columbia has grown. The clearance rate in 2017 was 22%. It jumped to 77% in 2019.

So far in 2020 there have been seven homicides and all have been cleared.

"I think that jump is attributable to the public having confidence in their police department, more community engagement, that yields better tips, better participation from witnesses and prosecution that helps the police do their job," said Columbia Mayor Brian Treece.

Police Chief Geoff Jones said cooperation from witnesses and community members has played a big role.

"The level of cooperation we receive today as opposed to 2018 has, in almost every circumstance, contributed to the clearance of violent crime," Jones said.

Hestir said community cooperation helped solve a shooting on Aug. 25 at Douglass Park when witnesses came forward to police.

Hestir provided several examples listing high-profile cases in Columbia that he said has contributed to public trust in police.

He noted that the discovery of Megan Schultz's remains in the city landfill and the search for Mengqi Ji's remains in the Lamine River as examples of CPD doing everything they can.

He also mentioned the video briefings and 10 press conferences the police department has held in the past several months.

Treece said these public announcements help build trust.

"I think one of the things the Columbia Police Department has done well on these active investigations is by asking the public for their help," Treece said. "Here's what happened. Here's what we're looking for. If you've seen something, say something."

The council brought forward several concerns and questions after hearing the report.

Ward 3 Councilman Karl Skala asked about social work and the role it will play in community policing down the road.

Jones said the current resources are limited, but they plan to utilize a new program that allows them to address the issues and have more services.

"Being resource driven, whether that's mental health, or childcare, or food services, or transportation, or whatever that might be, that has to be part of the long-term solving that this model of policing helps to carry out," he said.

Skala also said the report given to the council should be made available to the public in simpler terms than the 158-page report that is included.

Treece asked whether the department uses national examples, like the death of George Floyd, as training opportunities for officers, and to see how CPD policy would play out in similar circumstances.

Hestir said officers at CPD frequently review these instances and videos that circulate in the news and social media.

Ward 1 Councilwoman Pat Fowler encouraged the department to continue listening to community partners and individuals with different life experiences.