Mid Missouri police departments changing procedures
Eight officers killed in eleven days has law enforcement officers around the nation changing procedures.
Columbia Police Department told ABC 17 News that their officers have been riding two man units since July 8th, one day after the Dallas attack.
Not all agencies are able to do the same, Callaway County Sheriff’s Department Lieutenant Clay Chism says, “a two person unit would be safer in some situations but believe me, if we had the staffing that would be a consideration.” Addressing the ongoing staffing problem that many Mid Missouri law enforcement agencies are experiencing.
Dale Roberts with the Columbia Police Officer Association told ABC 17 News that officers in Columbia are constantly thinking about the, “what if it was me,” scenario.
Lt. Chism told ABC 17 News that officer safety is a number one priority but they also have another role which is to be a community servant. “Making sure we are approachable and accessible to community members is something we have to work on.”
Cole County Sheriff’s Department says no procedures have changed but if deputies need backup, they can adjust and assist.
Jefferson City Police Department says they aren’t ruling out the decision to follow Columbia’s footsteps, but are looking at all the options on the table.
Captain Doug Shoemaker, with JCPD says even when they are short staffed their minimum requirements don’t change. “We will work short, we have, we’ve had nobody at times, officers will work overtime but under no circumstance whatsoever will we lower our standards, it’s not good for us or for the community.”
In his more than 20 years working in law enforcement Shoemaker says, he never expected we (Police) would experience this in a lifetime.
Taking a look at law enforcement training academy numbers over time, the number has slowly fallen. In the beginning of 2016 only 12 students were enrolled , when the academy on average likes to see numbers in the 30’s.
Shoemaker says “we go out into the community and talk to people, but no one wants to join… that’s a problem.”
