columbia police department

2012 Columbia Police report: Fewer incidents require police intervention

Brian Ruehlmann — Tue, 07 May 2013 14:12:26 +0000

The 2012 annual police report reveals a decrease in the number of incidents in Columbia requiring police intervention. The 438 incidents in 2012 in which police had to use force are significantly fewer than the 604 reported in 2011. The report also showed that officers drew firearms on 285 occasions this past year, a 37 percent decrease from 2011. Sergeant Barbara Buck of the Internal Affairs Division said the police department is being proactive in its efforts to reduce crime in Columbia.

Columbia city council approves funds for Armored Personnel Carrier

Olga Khrustaleva — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 18:37:43 +0000

Columbia's city council members have approved funds to purchase an Armored Personnel Carrier for the Columbia Police Department.

The Department plans to replace its current vehicle with the Lenco BearCat, at a cost of about $200,000. Council members approved the appropriation at Monday night's city council meeting.

Columbia Police Chief Ken Burton said it is essential to have such a vehicle in case of gun violence.

Columbia PD to conduct sobriety checkpoints around St. Patrick's Day

Jake Godin — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 13:23:54 +0000

The Columbia Police Department received multiple grants to help better patrol roads for drunk drivers and youths not wearing seat belts. The grants, provided by the Missouri Department of Transportation’s Traffic & Highway Safety Division, will go towards enforcing youth seat belt use and sobriety checkpoints.

Columbia Police Traffic Unit Supervisor Sergeant Curtis Perkins said the goal of the grant provided for the youth seat belt enforcement is to have a visible presence.

Columbia police team with towing companies to clear roads

Joe McLean — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 23:43:20 +0000

Police are working with private towing companies to remove stalled and abandoned vehicles to make way for snow plows. The Columbia Police Department said they've received more than 180 calls in Boone County since Thursday morning. Calling the police station is not recommended as a way to locate your towed vehicle.

Columbia PD reports decrease in crime since 2011

Harris Chang — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 16:07:20 +0000

If Columbia seems less dangerous these days, there may be a reason. Data from The Columbia Police Department show that crime rates have decreased since 2011 with the exception to reported rape and sexual assaults.

Columbia police have looked at past crimes and trends in the city, and have adapted to prevent future crimes. Columbia Police Department Spokesperson Latisha Stroer recalls recent changes.

“We had some violence that occurred in and around Douglas Park,” Stroer said. “We had two-man units placed there to help this relationship with the community and that area.”

Update: Victim, suspect ID'd in Truman VA hospital homicide

Harum Helmy — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 19:10:24 +0000

78-year-old Robert Hill of Warsaw was the man killed by another patient at Truman Veterans Hospital on Friday, Columbia police spokesperson Sgt. Joe Bernhard said in a release.

Bernhard said Hill was involved in an assault at about 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 1. He died from the injuries he sustained in the assault. The release said no weapons were involved in the assault, but didn't go into further detail.

Captain Dianne Bernhard appointed Deputy Chief of Columbia Police Department

Olga Khrustaleva — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 21:51:51 +0000

Chief Ken Burton announced the new Deputy Chief of the Columbia Police Department this morning. Captain Dianne Bernhard, a 20 year police veteran will now be responsible for overseeing the work of the police department's three main bureaus: Patrol, Operations Support and Administrative.

Columbia Police Captains now "at will" employees

Sarah Hollins — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 16:09:50 +0000

The Columbia City Council has approved an amendment that changes the status of Columbia's Police Captains from classified to unclassified employees. Under the new classification the police captains lose their right to due process and are now "at will" employees under Police Chief Kenneth Burton.

Columbia businesses evacuated after gas leak downtown

Lukas Udstuen — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 00:15:10 +0000

A gas leak Tuesday evening in Columbia caused emergency officials to evacuate several businesses and close down a section of Ninth Street South.

At 4:59 p.m. the Columbia Fire Department responded to reports of a gas odor outside the construction site at 308 Ninth Street South, according to James L. Weaver, public information officer with the Columbia Fire Department.

Several nearby businesses were closed including Starbucks, Chipotle and Cold Stone Creamery, Weaver said.

Columbia Police investigation confirms incidents at CPOA/FOP golf tournament

Ryan Famuliner — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 21:30:19 +0000

The Columbia Police Department says an internal investigation confirmed that people were served drinks off the bare breasts of women at a Columbia Police Officers Association/FOP Lodge 26 golf tournament.