Metropolitan Police Department, City of St. Louis

Not to be confused with St. Louis County Police Department or Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia.

Metropolitan Police Department, City of St. Louis
Common name	St Louis Police Department
Abbreviation	SLMPD , MPDSL
220x140px Patch of the Metropolitan Police Department, City of St. Louis
Motto	Service, Integrity, Leadership, and Fair Treatment to All Service moris Ductu et aequi Omnibus (Latin)
Agency overview
Formed	1808
Employees	1,729 Full-Time (2016)
Annual budget	$127,740,004 mil. USD [FY 2016]
Legal personality	Governmental: Government agency
Jurisdictional structure
Operations jurisdiction*	City of St. Louis in the state of Missouri, United States
Size	66.2 sq mi (171 km2)
Population	319,294 (2014)
Legal jurisdiction	St.Louis Missouri
Governing body	City of St. Louis
General nature	Law enforcement Local civilian police
Operational structure
Headquarters	1915 Olive Ave. St.Louis Missouri 63103
Police Officers	1,287
Corrections and Civilians	442
Elected officers responsible	Francis G. Slay, Mayor of St. Louis Nicolle Barton, Civilian Oversight Board Executive Director Richard Gray, Public Safety Director Catherine Smentkowski, Public Information Officer
Agency executives	Colonel Sam Dotson, Commissioner of Police Lieutenant Colonel Lawrence O'Toole Sr., Assistant Chief of Police Lieutenant Colonel Ronnie Robinson, Commander of the Bureau of Community Outreach & Community Affairs Lieutenant Colonel Gerald Leyshock, Commander of the Bureau of Enforcement & Investigation Support Lieutenant Colonel Edward Kuntz, Commander of the Bureau of Operations Major Michael Caruso, Bureau of Airport Police
Parent agency	City of St. Louis
Child agency	St. Louis Airport Police Department
Bureaus	List Bureau of Enforcement Bureau of Community Affairs Bureau of Operations Airport Police Division Bureau of Investigation & Support
Divisions	List South Patrol Central Patrol North Patrol
Facilities
Justice Centers	St Louis City Justice Center 200 S.Tucker Blvd.St.Louis Missouri
Marked and Unmarkeds	Chevrolet Tahoes, Chevrolet Impalas and Harley-Davidson Police Motorcycles
Police Boats	4
Helicopters	3
Planes	4
Horses	6
Dogs	24 German Shepherds
Notables Anniversary Sept 7, 1808
Website
St. Louis Police Department official website
Footnotes
* Divisional agency: Division of the country, over which the agency has usual operational jurisdiction. Note:

The Metropolitan Police Department, City of St. Louis (MPDSL) is the principal law enforcement agency responsible for serving City of St. Louis in the U.S. state of Missouri. The department is accredited through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). The current Commissioner of Police is Colonel Sam Dotson, who was named to the position on December 14, 2012. The Metropolitan Police Department -St.Louis is a division of the St. Louis Department of Public Safety. Metropolitan Police Department is the Second largest City Police agency in Missouri, based on number of employees, city population, and geographic area served..

Organization and structure

The SLMPD uses the following ranks, as dictated by State Statute.

The structure of the Senior Command staff of The Police is:

Title	Insignia	Uniform	Badge Style
Commissioner of Police		White shirt, blue pants	Gold badge
Assistant Chief of Police		White shirt, blue pants	Gold badge
Major		White shirt, blue pants	Gold badge
Captain		White shirt, blue pants	Gold badge
Lieutenant		White shirt, blue pants	Gold badge
Sergeant		Blue shirt, blue pants	Silver & Gold Badge
Detective		Plain Clothes	Silver badge
Patrol officer		Blue shirt, blue pants	Silver badge
Probationary Police Officer		Blue shirt, blue pants	Silver badge

Fallen officers

From April 28, 1836, to Apr 13, 2016, the Officer Down Memorial Page reported that 170 officers in the St. Louis Police Department died in the line of duty, 93 of them from gunfire, 38 from automobile-related incidents, and three from heart attacks. Many families of those killed in the line of duty get support from BackStoppers, a local charity.

The causes of death are as follows:

Cause of deaths	Number of deaths
Aircraft accident	1
Automobile accident	9
Assault	6
Electrocuted	5
Fall	3
Gunfire	89
Gunfire (accidental)	4
Heart attack	3
Motorcycle accident	9
Struck by streetcar	7
Struck by train	2
Struck by vehicle	7
Structure collapse	2
Vehicular assault	10
Total	170

Lieutenant Colonel

The rank of Lieutenant Colonel is the second-highest rank in the Department, reporting directly to the Police Commissioner. Each Lieutenant Colonel serves as a member of the Senior Command staff and assists the Police Commissioner in managing civilian and commissioned personnel.

Lieutenant Colonel Lawrence O'Toole Sr

Assisant Chief

Lieutenant Colonel Ronnie Robinson 

Commander of the Bureau of Community Affairs

Lieutenant Colonel Gerald Leyshock 

Commander of the Bureau of Enforcement / Bureau of Investigation Support

Lieutenant Colonel Edward Kuntz 

Commander of the Bureau of Operations

Majors

The rank of Major is the third-highest rank in the Department, reporting directly to a Lieutenant Colonel. Each Major serves as a member of the Senior Command staff and assists each Lieutenant Colonel in managing civilian and commissioned personnel within their assigned areas.

Major John Hayden

Commander of North Patrol

Major Michael Sack

Commander of Central Patrol

Major Daniel Howard

Commander of South Patrol

Major Rochelle Jones

Deputy Commander - Bureau of Operations

Major Michael Caruso

Commander of the Airport Police

Major Kenneth Kegel 

Deputy Commander - Bureau of Enforcement

Bureau of Enforcement

Major Kenneth Kegel
Deputy Commander - Bureau of Enforcement

6 Patrol Districts
DEA Task Force
Traffic Safety Unit
Aviation Unit
SWAT Unit
Public Transportation Unit
Nuisance/Problem Property Unit
Park Rangers

Bureau of Enforcement is made up of more than 1,000 commissioned officers and civilian employees. It includes the six police districts, district detectives, Crime Analysis Unit, Housing Unit and Police Officers assigned to the Circuit Attorney’s office as investigators.

Bureau of Investigation Support Bureau which consists of: Homicide Division, Crimes Against Persons/Property, Child Abuse/Domestic Abuse Response Team, Juvenile Division, Circuit Attorney's Office Unit, Bombing & Arson Unit Fraud/Cyber Crimes Unit.

SWAT

Commander of SWAT/Canine : Lt. Stephen Dodge

The full-time SWAT team consists of 23 officers, two sergeants and a lieutenant. The unit has three 2-man sniper/observer teams, breaches and several other specialties, with most members cross-trained for efficient use of manpower. The SWAT team periodically trains and certifies their own members using SWAT officers as instructors and cadre with curricula and standards approved by the Missouri Department of Public Safety’s Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Program. The SWAT School (SWAT 1) teaches volunteer patrol officers the basics of SWAT equipment, basic tactical operations and command and control to the officers

The 'Mobile Reserves Merged To SWAT was created in 1957. It consists of as a full-time team from within the department who are trained in special tactics for high-risk situations. They respond to Twelve main categories of calls:

• Hostage situations
• Sniper calls
• Barricaded subjects: Armed subject(s) barricaded against arrest
• Barricaded subjects: Armed subject(s) threatening suicide and a threat to others
• Heavy arrest: Arrest of multiple armed felons in a fortified location
• Dignitary protection
• Special circumstances (terrorist threats, etc.)
• Weapons of Mass Destruction Team
• Civil Disobedience Team
• Patrolling high crime areas
• Details
• Presidential Protection

SWAT(Special Weapons And Tactics) also is responsible for executing high-risk search warrants such as on violent offenders suspected to be armed or a threat to officers or the public, etc. SWAT members are selected from a roster based upon their attitude, job performance, and athletic ability. All members must maintain a high level of proficiency in special weapons training and tactics.

SWAT Team also includes crisis negotiators, who are responsible for gathering intelligence information and talking with people in potentially volatile situations in an effort to resolve the matter without violence. Crisis negotiators must undergo extensive training in interpersonal relationships and communication. Team members also are volunteers and selected based upon their attitude, job performance and ability to complete scenario based training.

Canine Section

File:Canine unit 50 years.jpg

Commander of SWAT/Canine : Lt. Tim Sach

The SLMPD Canine Unit is staffed by police officers who handle 11 canines. The canines are available on a 24-hour basis to assist with searching for evidence, tracking suspects, locating missing persons and seeking hidden explosives and narcotics. In 1958, policing in St. Louis forever changed with the employment of police dogs. The use of dogs by the department began after the Board of Police Commissioners selected and sent five St. Louis Police Officers to London for the purpose of viewing that city's canine program. The officers were impressed with what they saw and thought it was a great crime-fighting initiative to incorporate into the department's policing strategy. After the officers returned from England, they petitioned the Board of Police Commissioners to start a canine program in St. Louis. The Board approved the officers' request, and the St. Louis Police Canine Section was formed. Today, the department's canine program is recognized as one of the best in the country. In 2008, the Canine Unit celebrated 50 years of dedicated service. The Canine Unit selected the German Shepherd as the unit's preferred dog because of its eagerness, fearlessness, and self-control. German Shepherds also possess various mental and physical attributes that makes them a perfect partner in the department's fight against crime. The canines and their handlers spend countless hours working together and training in order to become efficient partners. The canines and their handlers also receive ongoing training after they have become "partners" in order to provide the best possible service to the department. Canines play an important role in both solving and preventing crimes.

Special Operations Investigators

The Special Operations Investigators will be commanded by an officer who will report directly to the Commander of the Bureau of Enforcement. The Special Operation Teams will identify and conduct investigations into specific problem areas of criminal behavior within the City.

Narcotics Control Assistance (NCAP)

Narcotic Control Assistance Investigators will be commanded by an officer who will report directly to the Commander of the Bureau of Enforcement. The Narcotic Control Assistance Investigators will assist in the investigation of violent offenders, drug traffickers, and others who are committing felony offenses in the City of St. Louis.

DEA Task Force

The DEA Task Force Investigators will be commanded by an officer who will report directly to the Commander of the Bureau of Enforcement. The DEA Task Force Investigators will work as liaisons with the DEA in enhancing drug investigations, with the specific intention of obtaining Federal prosecution of defendants when the criteria is established.

Division of Area Patrol

The SLMPD has six districts, which are further divided into three area stations:

South Area Patrol (SAP)

District 1

District 2

SPD Detective Bureau

Central Area Patrol (CAP)

District 3

District 4

CPD Detective Bureau

North Area Patrol (NAP)

District 5

District 6

NPD Detective Bureau

Aviation/Metro Air Support Unit

Commander of The Aviation Unit : Sgt . Dino Orlando

The SLMPD Aviation Unit operates as part of a multi-jurisdictional unit known as the Metro Air Support Unit. This Unit is composed of the Metropolitan Police Department, City of St. Louis as well as the St. Louis County Police Department and St. Charles County Police Department.

The arrangement with the other agencies affords the Unit the ability to provide around-the-clock aerial coverage while patrolling the 1,600 square miles of the combined jurisdictions.

The Aviation Unit was formed in 1996 after acquiring a military surplus OH-58 helicopter. It continued as a one helicopter and one pilot operation until 2004.

In 2004, the SLMPD Aviation Unit, along with the St. Louis County Police Department and the St. Charles County Police Department joined forces, forming the Metro Air Support Unit. The Unit is under the command of a St. Louis County Captain. It is composed of a SLCPD sergeant, three SLCPD police officers, two aircraft mechanics, a SLMPD sergeant, four SLMPD police officers and one SCCSD deputy.

Each flight crew consists of a pilot and a tactical flight officer. These officers utilize the latest state-of-the-art equipment when carrying out their missions. They operate MD 500E helicopters as well as ex-military OH-6A helicopters. The MD 500E helicopter was chosen by the Unit due to its fast, agile and mission-oriented capabilities. The Unit also utilizes a Cessna C-172 fixed-wing airplane for investigations and surveillance.

The Metro Air Support Unit trains extensively throughout the year. The Unit trains with SWAT, Canine and multiple fire agencies on a regular basis. We have undertaken addition responsibilities with the United States Coast Guard and the Environmental Protection Agency.

In 2004, the St. Charles County Police Department, the Metropolitan Police Department, City of St. Louis, and the St. Louis County Police Department joined together to share resources and created the Metro Air Support. Metro Air Support, as of July 2, 2007, boasts 6 helicopters, 1 fixed wing airplane, 6 pilots, and 8 Crew Chiefs.

Mounted Patrol/Traffic Safety Unit

The Mounted Patrol Unit operates as part of the Traffic Safety Division. Mounted Patrol is responsible for patrolling the nearly 1300 acres of Forest Park on a 24-hour basis. They assist with crowd control at major events and represent the Department in annual parades in St. Louis.The Mounted Patrol operates with two sergeants, fourteen officers, three civilians and four horses.

Real Time Crime Center

File:RTCCWebsite1.png

In May of 2015, Metropolitan Police Department, City of St. Louis (SLMPD) Real Time Crime Center (RTCC) was unveiled at Police Headquarters located at 1915 Olive. The RTCC is manned with Commissioned Police Officers 24-hours a day and 365 days a year.

The RTCC took over the functions of the SLMPD Command Post, quickly becoming the technology and information center for the SLMPD. There are currently 8 Commissioned Officers and 1 Commissioned Sergeant assigned to the RTCC on a full time basis.

Bureau of Operations

Lieutenant Colonel Edward Kuntz Commander of the Bureau of Operations.
Major Rochelle Jones Deputy Commander - Bureau of Operations

To provide the necessary support services required by various units of the Department. Such services will include providing radio communications to various sectors of the City of St. Louis, the receipt and dispatch of calls, processing of prisoners, records procedures, criminalistic services, firearms identification, technical arts, processing of evidence, identification, and property/evidence custody, storage, and disposition.

Divisions That Falls Under The Bureau of Operations

Airport Police
Internal Affairs
Force Investigation Unit
Private Security
Academy
Evidence Management & Auxiliary Services
Property Custody
Communications
Laboratory
Communications Service Center
Telephone Reporting
Warrant/Fugitive
Records
Prisoner Processing
Circuit Attorney Inv/Court Liaison
City Marshals

Airport Division

Major Michael Caruso: Bureau of Airport Police Division at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport.

The Airport Section works in conjunction with the SLMPD Aviation Unit, the (FAA) and the Transportation Security Administration to provide police services for the Lambert - St. Louis International Airport, including the concourses and parking lots. The Airport also is served by a Airport Police K-9 Unit.

The St. Louis Airport Police Department Division is apart of the St. Louis Police Department with all law enforcement responsibilities at Lambert - St. Louis International Airport. The police department’s primary mission is to ensure a safe and SECURE environment for the traveling public.

The St. Louis Police Airport Division is responsible for traffic control, criminal investigations, airport community oriented policing, airport security, rapid response counter terrorism, enforcement of local, state and federal laws at the airport and providing canine explosive detection support to the airport and surrounding communities.

The St. Louis Police Airport Division exists to protect life and property and provide exemplary service to the community. All applicable local, state, federal laws and security regulations are enforced without partiality or preference. The department maintains order with pride and purpose through honesty, fairness, professionalism and respect for human life and personal dignity.

Airport Canine Unit

The St. Louis Airport Police Canine Unit is staffed by police officers who handle 9 canines. The canines are available on a 24-hour basis to assist with searching for evidence, tracking suspects, locating missing persons and seeking hidden explosives and narcotics.

The Metropolitan Police Department, City of St. Louis has their own canine school.

Bureau of Community Outreach & Community Affairs

Units That fall Under this Bureau

Community Engagement & Org. Development
Public Transportation
Juvenile

See also

• List of law enforcement agencies in Missouri

External links

• Official website