Holts Summit Police Department touts success of new domestic violence investigator

HOLTS SUMMIT, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Holts Summit Police Department is touting its early success arrested domestic abusers after the creation of a position dedicated to those crimes.

Nearly seven weeks ago, the Holts Summit Police Department introduced a dedicated domestic violence investigator.

The city was awarded a two-year grant for $98,288.24. The city is required to put up a 25% match. 

The department says it has seen "significant progress" in improving safety for domestic violence victims.

Between April 25 and June 15, investigator Joshua Anderson has worked with the police department's patrol division and the prosecuting attorney's office on multiple cases.

The City of Holts Summit said in a news release Monday morning that 17 domestic violence cases have bee, or are still being investigated since the position was created, resulting in eight arrests.

Additionally, two arrests are pending, one case has been referred to the Callaway County Prosecuting Attorney for review, two cases were administratively closed due to insufficient evidence and four cases are currently open and under investigation.

City Administrator Brandon Ruediger states in the press release "We are immensely proud of the early successes of our Domestic Violence Investigator and his collaboration with the other officers at the police department to help bring these types of cases to the Callaway County Prosecuting Attorney’s office for prosecution."

Check back for updates to this developing story.