MSHP creates Office of Community Engagement and Outreach, effective June 1
The Missouri State Highway Patrol announced on Wednesday the creation of the Office of Community Engagement and Outreach.
The office will be headquartered in St. Louis and will be supervised by Assistant Superintendent Eric T. Olson. The office will go inteo effect on Thursday.
“The Office of Community Engagement and Outreach will be an unprecedented and outstanding opportunity for our state,” said Missouri Department of Public Safety Director Drew Juden. “The office will serve as a national model for fostering relationships based on trust and respect within communities throughout the state.”
You can read the full release from the MSHP below:
EMPHASIS: Patrol Creates Office Of Community Engagement And Outreach
Colonel Sandra K. Karsten, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, is pleased to announce the creation of the Office of Community Engagement and Outreach within the Patrol. Effective June 1, 2017, the office will be established and placed under the direction of Assistant Superintendent Eric T. Olson. The office will be in the Wainwright Office Building in St. Louis.
Captain Ronald S. Johnson has been designated as director of the Office of Community Engagement and Outreach. The new office will focus on cultivating and enhancing partnerships with Missourians, community groups, and organizations across the state that may not frequently interact with the Patrol. Captain Johnson will engage community members and professionals to develop solutions to challenging social issues and will assist in connecting community members with resources.
Captain Johnson has distinguished himself as a national expert in cultivating community relations with law enforcement. He is frequently asked to present on best practices for community engagement and outreach, and he has spent many years teaching and mentoring various groups across the country on relationship building. Captain Johnson has received multiple state and national awards for his work, including Ebony Power 100’s Community Crusader Award 2014, the Missouri Chamber of Commerce 2014 Lifetime Achievement Award, the St. Louis County NAACP Rosa Park’s Citizenship Award in 2015, the St. Louis Celebrity Seniors’ Helping Hand Reducing Street Violence Award, the Historical Society of St. Louis County’s Community Service Award in 2014, Missouri State University’s Statewide Diversity Champion Award 2015, and the Missouri Community College Association’s 2014 Distinguished Alumni Award.
“Captain Johnson’s skills and abilities in creating impactful partnerships make him a tremendous asset,” said Colonel Karsten. “A highly sought after expert in this area, we are excited for what he will accomplish as the founding director of this new office.”
“While the Patrol enjoys great relationships with those we serve, there is always more work to be done across Missouri. Captain Johnson will work to foster relationships based on mutual respect and trust,” said Colonel Karsten. “The Office of Community Engagement and Outreach will work with a wide variety of stakeholders, including churches, schools, civic organizations, and other groups to create opportunities for open dialogue and engaged communities.”
“The Office of Community Engagement and Outreach will be an unprecedented and outstanding opportunity for our state,” said Missouri Department of Public Safety Director Drew Juden. “The office will serve as a national model for fostering relationships based on trust and respect within communities throughout the state.”
