CPD encounters 181 incidents requiring force in 2024, guns fired at someone six times

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Columbia Police Department responded to 114,533 incidents in 2024, a Monday evening press release says.

Of those incidents, 78,276 were responses to citizens calls for service, while police initiated 36,257 incidents themselves. 4,320 people were also arrested in 2024, according to the release.

CPD officers came across 181 incidents requiring the use of force in 2024.

Officers are permitted to use only the level of force that is reasonable and necessary to control a situation, according to CPD protocols. Incidents where force was used in 2024 included multiple subjects in a single incident, one officer using multiple techniques and multiple officers each employing techniques, the release says.

The method of force used the most by police in 2024 included instances where an officer drew their gun, with 132 cases.

Police also utilized balance displacement 117 times, displayed their taser laser of arc display 44 times and joint manipulation 40 times.

Police also fired their gun six times in 2024, all of which occurred on June 4. According to previous reporting, CPD was one of several agencies called to a Sturgeon mobile home park during a standoff. An official said at the time that law enforcement returned fire after being shot at.

Armored vehicles from multiple agencies were used and damaged during the incident. Damion Linder was found dead in the home by law enforcement.

Of the 114,533 incidents, CPD received 61 citizen complaints of misconduct as defined by the the city's ordinance. The ordinance requires the police chief to complete each complaint investigation with one of the following findings:

• Unfounded: The alleged acts complained of did not occur or were misconstrued;
• Not Sustained: Insufficient facts established to either prove or disprove the acts complained of;
• Sustained: Sufficient facts established to prove misconduct;
• Exonerated: The acts complained of occurred but were justified, lawful and proper.

The following results were determined:

• 83 unfounded;
• 67 exonerated;
• 38 sustained;
• Four not sustained.

One case is still pending, according to the release.

Fifteen of the 61 cases were appealed to the city's Citizens Police Review Board.

The CPRB disagreed with Chief Jill Schlude's decision in two of the 15 cases.

"Our internal affairs review process remains a critical component of accountability and continuous improvement. Every complaint filed is thoroughly investigated, and appropriate action is taken when misconduct is found," A statement from Schlude reads. "We encourage the public to continue reporting concerns, as community feedback is essential in helping us maintain trust and improve our services."

CPD also dealt with 37 internal investigations regarding misconduct. Two of them were unfounded, one was exonerated, 43 were sustained and two were not sustained.

Fourteen citizen compliments were also given to CPD in 2024, according to the release.